Alfredo Rodrigues Duarte (February 25, 1891 - June 26, 1982) better known a… Read Full Bio ↴Alfredo Rodrigues Duarte (February 25, 1891 - June 26, 1982) better known as Alfredo Marceneiro due to his profession (Portuguese; marceneiro - English; woodworker) was a Portuguese fado singer, owner of a singular voice, became a milestone in this kind of music in Portugal.

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.

Rainha Santa
Alfredo Marceneiro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Não sabes Tricana linda
Porque chora quando canta
O rouxinol no choupal
É porquilo chora ainda
Pela Rainha mais Santa
Das Santas de Portugal
É porquilo chora ainda
Pela Rainha mais Santa

Das Santas de Portugal

Rainha, que mais reinou
Nos corações da pobreza
Que no faustoso paço
Milagreira portuguesa
Que no seu alvo regaço
Pão em rosas transformou
Milagreira portuguesa
Que no seu alvo regaço

Pão em rosas transformou

E as lindas rosas geradas
Por um milagre fremente
Que a Santa Rainha fez
Viverão acarinhadas
Com amor eternamente
No coração português
Viverão acarinhadas

Com amor eternamente
No coração português

Santa Isabel, se algum dia
Seu nome de eras famosas
Fosse esquecido afinal,
milagre faria
De nunca mais haver rosas
Nos jardins de Portugal.
milagre faria

De nunca mais haver rosas
Nos jardins de Portugal.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alfredo Marceneiro's song Rainha Santa are a tribute to Queen Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, depicting her as a beloved and miraculous figure in Portuguese history. The song starts by addressing a woman named Tricana Linda, questioning why she always cries when singing in the forest surrounded by nightingales. The answer is revealed as being related to Queen Saint Elizabeth, whom the nightingales still sing for, crying in memory of the saint who gave them a miracle. The song continues to describe Queen Saint Elizabeth as the queen who reigned the most in the hearts of the poor, emphasizing her miraculous abilities to turn bread into roses, a popular legend associated with her. The chorus repeats the nightingale's cry in mourning of the saint's death and in commemoration of her memory, wishing for her miracle to continue forever and for the heart of Portugal to always remember her.

The song's portrayal of Queen Saint Elizabeth as a miraculous, beloved figure in Portuguese history reflects her status as a popular saint in Portugal, known for her acts of charity and her legendary miracles. The lyrics also highlight the importance of memory and commemoration in Portuguese culture, especially when it comes to revered historical figures such as the queen. The nightingale's song and tears symbolize the sorrow and longing for the past, as well as the desire to keep the memory alive for future generations.

Line by Line Meaning

Não sabes Tricana linda
Do you not know, beautiful Tricana

Porque chora quando canta
why she cries when she sings

O rouxinol no choupal
The nightingale in the garden

É porquilo chora ainda
it's why she still cries

Pela Rainha mais Santa
For the most saintly queen

Das Santas de Portugal
Of all the saints in Portugal

Rainha, que mais reinou
Queen, who reigned the most

Nos corações da pobreza
In the hearts of poverty

Que no faustoso paço
That in the lavish palace

Milagreira portuguesa
Portuguese miracle worker

Que no seu alvo regaço
In her pure embrace