Lisboa Menina e Moça
Carlos do Carmo
A Serenade to the City of Seven Hills
The song "Lisboa Menina e Moça" by Carlos do Carmo is a heartfelt tribute to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. The lyrics poetically describe the city as if it were a woman, with all the tenderness and affection one might feel for a beloved. The song uses vivid imagery and metaphors to bring the city's features to life, comparing its hills to a woman's breasts and its streets to her body. The reference to Lisbon as both a 'girl' and a 'woman' suggests a deep familiarity and a nuanced relationship, highlighting the city's timeless charm and the singer's intimate connection to it.
Carlos do Carmo, a renowned fado singer, infuses the traditional Portuguese music genre with a sense of nostalgia and longing, known as 'saudade'. Fado often deals with the themes of love, loss, and longing, and in this song, Carmo expresses his love for Lisbon through the fado's emotive lens. The mention of specific locations like Alfama, the Tejo river, and the various neighborhoods of Lisbon, serves to ground the song in real places, while also elevating them to a romantic ideal.
The song's chorus emphasizes the purity and beauty of Lisbon, as seen through the singer's eyes. It portrays the city as a living entity, one that is both comforting and inspiring. The use of traditional Portuguese symbols, such as the varina (a fish seller) and the fado itself, connects the song to the cultural identity of Lisbon and Portugal. Through its lyrics, "Lisboa Menina e Moça" becomes more than just a song; it's an ode to a city that is as much a part of the singer's identity as it is a physical place.
