I Am Portuguese
Hello Portuguese speakers...
https://youtu.be/503jbexZ0TU
I love Fado with a passion. Amalia Rodrigues... Mariza... Katia Guerreiro. Searching for an English translation of KG's "Asas" ("Wings"), I found only one confusing attempt, likely from a non-English speaker. Myself, I don't speak Portuguese but I am a poet... working with an online dictionary and phrase guide, I've cobbled together the following. Please let me know if anything is really inaccurate. I've aimed for clarity, beauty, and not too much liberty... I just like "give" better than "invent."
WINGS
Inside your body are wings, my gift to you from the suffering that flows out of my weariness. Only lovers can understand me. I can feel them as you embrace me.
I want to take root in life's bright side and flourish, to let my hair flow in the wind, to change into laughter this lament. I'm ready to go there now.
Will you accept my challenge? Let's board that ship for the sun and the future. Can't we cut our binding ties that grip like claws to such a hard past?
Think only of our love, not of time and pain. Come, give me your hand and climb the hill with me, for when people are happy, no one will stifle their hearts.
ASAS
É no teu corpo que invento
Asas para o sofrimento
Que escorre do meu cansaço
Só quem ama tem razão
Para entender a emoção
Que me dás no teu abraço
Eu quero lançar raízes
E viver dias felizes
Na outra margem da vida
Solta os cabelos ao vento
Muda em riso esse lamento
Apressemos a partida
Aceita o meu desafio
Embarca neste navio
Rumo ao sol e ao futuro
Corta comigo as amarras
Que nos prendem como garras
A um passado tão duro
Esquece o tempo e a dor
Pensa só no nosso amor
Vem, dá-me a tua mão
Sobe comigo a encosta
Porque quando a gente gosta
Ninguém cala o coração
https://youtu.be/503jbexZ0TU
I love Fado with a passion. Amalia Rodrigues... Mariza... Katia Guerreiro. Searching for an English translation of KG's "Asas" ("Wings"), I found only one confusing attempt, likely from a non-English speaker. Myself, I don't speak Portuguese but I am a poet... working with an online dictionary and phrase guide, I've cobbled together the following. Please let me know if anything is really inaccurate. I've aimed for clarity, beauty, and not too much liberty... I just like "give" better than "invent."
WINGS
Inside your body are wings, my gift to you from the suffering that flows out of my weariness. Only lovers can understand me. I can feel them as you embrace me.
I want to take root in life's bright side and flourish, to let my hair flow in the wind, to change into laughter this lament. I'm ready to go there now.
Will you accept my challenge? Let's board that ship for the sun and the future. Can't we cut our binding ties that grip like claws to such a hard past?
Think only of our love, not of time and pain. Come, give me your hand and climb the hill with me, for when people are happy, no one will stifle their hearts.
ASAS
É no teu corpo que invento
Asas para o sofrimento
Que escorre do meu cansaço
Só quem ama tem razão
Para entender a emoção
Que me dás no teu abraço
Eu quero lançar raízes
E viver dias felizes
Na outra margem da vida
Solta os cabelos ao vento
Muda em riso esse lamento
Apressemos a partida
Aceita o meu desafio
Embarca neste navio
Rumo ao sol e ao futuro
Corta comigo as amarras
Que nos prendem como garras
A um passado tão duro
Esquece o tempo e a dor
Pensa só no nosso amor
Vem, dá-me a tua mão
Sobe comigo a encosta
Porque quando a gente gosta
Ninguém cala o coração
70-79, T
