Fado da Adiça
Amália Rodrigues Lyrics

In Amália Rodrigues's Fado da Adiça, the lyrics touch on the cultural significance of fado and the idea that it is not something that can be learned or simply appropriated. The song suggests that fado is a characteristic intrinsic to the Portuguese people, akin to being a poet. The lyrics "Por muito que se disser, o fado não é canalha" references that fado is often associated with a low-class status, something that the singer is contending. Instead, the song argues that being a fadista, someone who sings fado, is not a matter of choice: "Só é fadista quem calha" (Only those who are destined can become fado singers).

The song also presents the idea that fado is a form of sixth sense that distinguishes the Portuguese people. The lyric "O fado é sexto-sentido que distingue o português" suggests that the ability to feel and express a connection to fado is an inherent part of Portugal's culture. The song also indicates that fado is something that is learned through experience, emphasizing the importance of tradition and the power of the genre. The lines "Para ficar aprendido, basta cantar-se uma vez" (To become learned, one need only sing fado once) convey the idea that once someone experiences fado, they will never forget it.