When Alfie began his studies at the Royal College of Music as an opera sing… Read Full Bio ↴When Alfie began his studies at the Royal College of Music as an opera singer he was encouraged to explore this beautiful classical folk music. As he immersed himself in the history of these arias he was immediately hooked on the tradition it was steeped in & his love affair had begun! "When I'm performing these songs it's the music and the words that are telling the story and that's where the passion comes from. I really connect with the people and their love and emotion for their homeland," explains Alfie.

Alfie's trajectory was set when he left home to join the D'Oyly Carte Touring Opera Company. It was a fine experience but it wasn't enough for the young Boe. He wanted to learn his art thoroughly and left for London enrolling at the Royal College of Music. After graduating he joined the The National Opera Studio and then went on to the Villar Young Artists Programme at The Royal Opera House.

It has been well documented that Alfie's first break came when Baz Luhrmann, after spending two years looking for one of the main leads for his controversial production of Puccini's 'La Boheme' approached Alfie for the role. His performance on Broadway led to him winning a Tony Award which sits comfortably next to his John McCormack Young Voice Award and Lyric Tenor of the World Audience Award.

There have been many highlights in his career but the last 12 months have been exceptional. Alfie has enjoyed two chart topping classical albums and now finds himself on the eve of releasing his third studio album; he was nominated for a Classical Brit Award for 'Best Album' sharing the category with Sir Paul McCartney and Sting; he's toured the length and breadth of the country; performed at the Royal Albert Hall with Lesley Garratt and Sir Willard White; performed in a sell-out run of the English National Opera's production of Kismet alongside Michael Ball and performed at Clarence House where he graciously accepted the role as Ambassador for HRH's Arts & Kids Foundation.

Granada
Alfie Boe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Granada tierra sonada por mi
mi cantar se vuelve gitano
cuando es para ti
Mi cantar hecho de fantasia
mi cantar flor de melancolia
que yo te vengo a dar
Granada tierra ensangretada
en tardes de toros

mujer que conserva el embrujo
de los ojos moros
De sueno rebelde gitana
cubierta de flores
y beso tu boca de grana
jugosa manzana
que me habla de amores
Granada manola cantada
en coplas preciosas
no tengo otra cosa que darte
que un ramo de roas
de rosas de suave fragrancia
que le dieran marco a la Virgen morena

Granada tu tierra esta llena
de lindas mujere de sangre y de sol

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alfie Boe's song Granada are a tribute to the city of Granada in Spain. The song begins with the opening line, "Granada tierra sonada por mi" which means "Granada, land of my dreams." Boe's rendition of the song is dramatic and passionate, capturing the essence of the city's culture and beauty. The song's verses continue to evoke the image of the city, with references to its history, people, and landmarks.

In the second verse, Boe sings about a woman who embodies the "embrujo" or spell of the city's Moorish past. He speaks of her rebellious spirit, draped in flowers, and takes a bite of her lips, describing them as "jugosa manzana" or juicy apple. The third verse speaks of the traditional "manola" song sung in Granada, and Boe offers a bouquet of roses, giving them as a gift to the beloved city. The final verse is a tribute to the city's women, referred to as "lindas mujere de sangre y de sol" or "beautiful women of blood and sun."

Line by Line Meaning

Granada tierra sonada por mi
Granada, land that I have dreamed of

mi cantar se vuelve gitano
My singing becomes gypsy-like

cuando es para ti
when it is for you

Mi cantar hecho de fantasia
My singing made of fantasy

mi cantar flor de melancolia
my singing a flower of sadness

que yo te vengo a dar
that I come to give to you

Granada tierra ensangretada
Granada, land stained with blood

en tardes de toros
in afternoons of bulls

mujer que conserva el embrujo
woman who still has the charm

de los ojos moros
of Moorish eyes

De sueno rebelde gitana
Of a rebellious gypsy dream