Cheira a Lisboa
Amália Rodrigues Lyrics

Lisboa já tem Sol mas cheira a Lua
Even though the sun has risen in Lisbon, the atmosphere and essence of the city still carry the nocturnal charm that the moon brings

Quando nasce a madrugada sorrateira
As the sneaky dawn rises, the city begins to come to life

E o primeiro eléctrico da rua
The first electric tram of the day adds to the ambient sound of the awakening city

Faz coro com as chinelas da Ribeira
The sound of the tram blends harmoniously with the clicking of the traditional wooden clogs worn by the locals in the Ribeira district

Se chove cheira a terra prometida
When it rains, the earthy aroma of the promised land fills the air

Procissões têm o cheiro a rosmaninho
During religious processions, the scent of rosemary wafts through the streets

Nas tascas da viela mais escondida
In the hidden alleyway taverns, the aroma of spicy beef and wine permeate the air

Cheira a iscas com elas e a vinho
The smell of marinated liver and wine fills the air

Um craveiro numa água furtada
A carnation in a rooftop water tank emanates the sweet aroma of Lisbon

Uma rosa a florir na tapada
A blooming rose in the countryside smells like Lisbon

A fragata que se ergue na proa
The frigate rising at the prow carries the scent of the sea

A varina que teima em passar
The fishmonger woman persistently passing by carries the aroma of fresh fish

Cheiram bem porque são de Lisboa
These scents are pleasant because they are typical of Lisbon

Lisboa tem cheiro de flores e de mar
Lisbon smells of both flowers and the sea

Lisboa cheira aos cafés do Rossio
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts from the cafes in Rossio

E o fado cheira sempre a solidão
The melancholic fado music always carries a scent of loneliness

Cheira a castanha assada se está frio
On cold days, the smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air

Cheira a fruta madura quando é Verão
During the summer, the aroma of ripe fruit permeates the air

Teus lábios têm o cheiro de um sorriso
Your lips smell like a smile

Manjerico tem o cheiro de cantigas
The verbena plant carries the scent of traditional Portuguese songs

E os rapazes perdem o juízo
Young men lose their minds

Quando lhes dá o cheiro a raparigas
When they catch a whiff of the scent of girls

Cheira bem, cheira a Lisboa
It smells good, it smells like Lisbon

A fragata que se ergue na proa
The frigate rising at the prow carries the scent of the sea

A varina que teima em passar
The fishmonger woman persistently passing by carries the aroma of fresh fish

Cheiram bem porque são de Lisboa
These scents are pleasant because they are typical of Lisbon

Lisboa tem cheiro de flores e de mar
Lisbon smells of both flowers and the sea

Cheira bem, cheira a Lisboa
It smells good, it smells like Lisbon

Cheira bem, cheira a Lisboa
It smells good, it smells like Lisbon