Madrugada de Alfama

She lives in an alley in Alfama
and they call her the dawn,
but she, so scatterbrained
doesn't even know her name.

She lives in a garret
the highest in Alfama
and the sun first ignites
when it wakes at dawn.
She lives in a garret
the highest in Alfama.

Not even in Madragoa
does anyone compete with her,
who from the top of the window
so early kisses Lisbon.

And her yellow quilt
makes Madragoa envious:
Madragoa doesn't forgive
those who rise earlier than her.
And her yellow quilt
makes Madragoa envious.

She lives in an alley in Alfama
and they call her the dawn;
the iron bars of her bed
are masts of golden light.

And her yellow quilt
shining over Lisbon,
is like the figurehead
announcing the caravel,
her yellow quilt
shining over Lisbon.