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.
O Pagem
Alfredo Marceneiro Lyrics
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Com voz linda maviosa
Ia render homenagem
À Marquesinha formosa
Mas numa noite de agoiro
O Marquês fero e brutal
Naquela garganta de oiro
E a Marquesa delirante
De noite em seu varandim
Pobre louca alucinante
Chorando, cantava assim:
Ó minha paixão querida
Meu amor, meu pagem belo
Foge sempre minha vida
Foge sempre minha vida
Deste maldito castelo
Ó minha paixão querida
Meu amor, meu pagem belo
Foge sempre minha vida
Deste maldito castelo
The lyrics to Alfredo Marceneiro's song O Pagem tell the tragic story of a handsome page who every night paid homage to the beautiful Marquesa, but one fateful night, the Marquês in a fit of rage plunged a dagger into the page's throat. The delirious and grief-stricken Marquesa could be heard singing on her balcony pleading for her beloved page to flee the cursed castle.
The song is a beautiful yet melancholic tribute to lost love and the pain of separation. It showcases the power of music to express human emotions and helps one understand the breadth and depth of human experiences.
The story depicted in the lyrics may hold hints at injustice, cruelty, desire and lament for times gone by. It is unclear whether the Marquês was driven by envy or jealousy, leading to the brutal murder of the page, but it is clear that the Marquesa's anguish and the page's beauty inspired countless renditions of this Portuguese Fado classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Todas as noites um pagem
Every night a pageboy
Com voz linda maviosa
With a beautiful and melodious voice
Ia render homenagem
Went to pay homage
À Marquesinha formosa
To the beautiful Marquess
Mas numa noite de agoiro
But on a fateful night
O Marquês fero e brutal
The fierce and brutal Marquis
Naquela garganta de oiro
In that golden throat
Mandou cravar um punhal
Ordered to stab with a dagger
E a Marquesa delirante
And the delirious Marquess
De noite em seu varandim
At night on her balcony
Pobre louca alucinante
Poor mad woman
Chorando, cantava assim:
Crying, sang like this:
Ó minha paixão querida
Oh my beloved passion
Meu amor, meu pagem belo
My love, my handsome pageboy
Foge sempre minha vida
Always flee my life
Deste maldito castelo
From this damned castle
Ó minha paixão querida
Oh my beloved passion
Meu amor, meu pagem belo
My love, my handsome pageboy
Foge sempre minha vida
Always flee my life
Deste maldito castelo
From this damned castle
Contributed by Ella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.