Cantar de Emigração (este Parte, Aquele Parte)

The song 'Cantar de Emigração (este Parte, Aquele Parte)' by Adriano Correia de Oliveira is a poignant reflection on the theme of emigration, particularly focusing on its impact on the Galician community. The lyrics poetically describe the departure of many individuals from Galicia, leaving behind a land bereft of those who could work its fields and sustain its economy. This mass exodus results in a landscape filled with orphans, lonely fields, and mothers who have lost their children to distant lands.

The emotional weight of the song is captured in the imagery of families torn apart by the necessity of migration. Mothers without children and children without fathers symbolize the deep scars left on the community by the absence of its members. The song speaks to the heartache of those left behind, who suffer 'long mortal absences.' These lines evoke a sense of ongoing grief for those who, although alive, are as good as dead to their loved ones due to the separation imposed by emigration.

Adriano Correia de Oliveira, known for his involvement in the Portuguese folk music scene and his political activism, uses this song to highlight the social and personal consequences of emigration. By focusing on the emotional and societal impact, rather than just the economic one, Oliveira gives voice to the often-overlooked personal tragedies that accompany the migration of individuals seeking better opportunities abroad. The song serves as a mournful reminder of the cultural and human cost of economic migration, resonating with anyone who has experienced or witnessed the pain of separation and loss due to emigration.