On June 10, 1984, he was awarded posthumously Commander of the Order of Infante D. Henrique by former President of the Portuguese Republic, General Ramalho Eanes.
Mocita Dos Caracóis
Alfredo Marceneiro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Não me deixes minha querida
Não ouves os rouxinóis
A cantarem como heróis
A história da nossa vida
Se abalares da nossa herdade
Os teus encantos destróis
Que a moda lá na cidade
Não tem desses caracóis
Teu cabelo é lindo e loiro
De caracóis verdadeiros
Na cidade esse tesouro
É comprado a peso d´ouro
Nos grandes cabeleireiros
A tua saia redonda
Bordada de girassóis
Pra tua escultura bonda
Serei sempre a tua ronda
Mocitas dos caracóis
Dá-me a tua mocidade
Que eu dou-te a minha depois
Não queiras ir prá cidade
Porque eu morro de saudade
Mocita dos caracóis
"Mocita dos Caracóis" is a beautiful and emotive song by Alfredo Marceneiro that revolves around a man's plea to his beloved to not leave him and their rural way of life for the city. The lyrics are full of imagery that is both romantic and melancholic. The song opens with the man addressing his lover, referring to her as "mocita dos caracóis", or "little girl with the curls". He begs her not to leave him and their idyllic life on the farm, where they are surrounded by the sounds of nightingales singing like heroes, singing the story of their life. He warns her that if she leaves their estate, she will lose the things that make her special and unique, such as her beautiful, natural blonde curls, which are highly prized in the city and often purchased at a high cost from hairdressers. He reassures her of his love and devotion, telling her she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, and he will always be by her side.
Despite being a love song, "Mocita dos Caracóis" also provides a bleak outlook on the concept of progress and urbanization. The singer pleads with his lover not to be seduced by the lure of the city, as it represents everything they do not have - greed, materialism, and a superficial lifestyle. He warns that the promises of the city will only lead to heartache and a loss of their unique identity. He instead offers her a life with him on the farm, full of simple pleasures and love. The lyrics are accompanied by a slow and mournful melody, emphasized by the use of the Portuguese guitar, further emphasizing the sense of loss and sadness in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Mocita dos caracóis
My dear with curly hair
Não me deixes minha querida
Don't leave me, my dear
Não ouves os rouxinóis
Can't you hear the nightingales
A cantarem como heróis
Singing like heroes
A história da nossa vida
The story of our life
Se abalares da nossa herdade
If you leave our land
Os teus encantos destróis
You'll ruin your charms
Irás atrás da vaidade
You'll go after vanity
Que a moda lá na cidade
Because the fashion in the city
Não tem desses caracóis
Doesn't have those curls
Teu cabelo é lindo e loiro
Your hair is beautiful and blonde
De caracóis verdadeiros
With true curly hair
Na cidade esse tesouro
In the city, that treasure
É comprado a peso d´ouro
Is bought at a high price
Nos grandes cabeleireiros
In the big hair salons
A tua saia redonda
Your round skirt
Bordada de girassóis
Embroidered with sunflowers
Pra tua escultura bonda
For your lovely sculpture
Serei sempre a tua ronda
I will always be your protector
Mocitas dos caracóis
My dear with curly hair
Dá-me a tua mocidade
Give me your youth
Que eu dou-te a minha depois
And I'll give you mine later
Não queiras ir prá cidade
Don't want to go to the city
Porque eu morro de saudade
Because I'll miss you terribly
Mocita dos caracóis
My dear with curly hair
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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