O Pagem

Alfredo Marceneiro's song 'O Pagem' is a poignant fado that tells a tragic story of love, jealousy, and loss. The narrative unfolds with a pageboy who serenades a beautiful young marquise every night with his enchanting voice. This nightly homage is a testament to his deep affection and admiration for her. The marquise, captivated by his serenades, likely reciprocates his feelings, creating a bond that transcends their social standings.

However, the story takes a dark turn when the marquise's father, a brutal and fierce marquis, becomes aware of the pageboy's nightly visits. In a fit of rage and jealousy, he orders the pageboy's throat to be slit, silencing his golden voice forever. This act of violence not only ends the pageboy's life but also shatters the marquise's world. The marquise, driven to madness by the loss of her beloved, spends her nights on the balcony, singing and weeping for her lost love. Her lament is a haunting cry for her 'dear passion' and 'beautiful pageboy,' expressing her desire to escape the cursed castle that has become a prison of sorrow.

The song is rich with metaphors and cultural references. The pageboy's voice, described as 'golden,' symbolizes purity and beauty, while the marquis' act of violence represents the destructive power of jealousy and authority. The marquise's nightly lament on the balcony is a powerful image of enduring love and grief, a common theme in fado music, which often explores the depths of human emotion and the inevitability of fate. Alfredo Marceneiro, a master of fado, uses this story to evoke a deep sense of melancholy and longing, characteristic of the genre.