Ana Moura has become a leading exponent of this poetic, deeply expressive idiom which personifies the Portuguese psyche as it explores such universal themes as lost love, separation, and longing.
As Ana explains, "It's very special because it's all about emotions and feelings. It needs no translation."
Ana was born in 1980, in Santarém, the bustling capital of the Ribatejo province in the center of Portugal's heartland on the Tejo River northeast of Lisbon.
The city of half a million souls is also one of Portugal's most historic cities -- an ideal place to develop an appreciation for fado. "I've been singing fado since I was little, because grew up listening to it at home," she recalls of her early home life. "My parents sang well, and at family gatherings, we all would sing."
Like young people everywhere, she soon developed an appreciation for other styles of music. The lure of singing fado, however, never waned. In her late teens, while sing pop and rock music with a local band, Ana always included at least one fado in each performance. Then, one night on a whim, about five years ago, she and some friends went to one of Lisbon's storied fado houses -- small performance venues where singers, guitarists and aficionados gather to worship the affecting style that's become Portugal's most important music export.
At the urging of her companions, she sang. "People liked me," she recalls of her first foray into a venerated bastion of the fado culture. Later that year, at a Christmas party that was attended by a lot of fadistas (fado singers) and guitarists, she sang again and, as fate would have it, noted fado vocalist Maria de Fe was in the audience and was duly impressed. "She asked me to sing at her fado house," Ana recalls of the fortuitous moment that launched her career.
"My life changed when I began going to the fado houses," Ana states today. "There's no microphone -- it's very intimate. New singers learn through a kind of apprenticeship, learning the intricacies of the style from the older, more established singers."
Before long, word of Ana's rich contralto, stunning looks and innate affinity for the demanding style spread, winning airtime on local television programs devoted to fado and rave reviews in Lisbon newspapers.
Ana has emerged as a leading voice of traditional fado just as the venerable idiom is enjoying a renaissance of popularity. "Today," she explains, "there's a new generation that sings lyrics related to our time. There are some older fado songs that we, the younger singers, cannot perform, because the lyrics are about a time and themes we don't identify with. We don't feel it, and fado is all about feelings. We must feel what we sing, and there are many older fados that don't belong to our generation. Younger singers use lyrics that speak of today, so young people have begun to get more interested in the music again."
As with jazz and country music in the U.S., tango in Argentina, samba in Brazil, fado sprang from the culture of working class people. And, as with the aforementioned examples, over the years the style evolved from humble origins to win broad appeal. Today, as Ana proudly proclaims, "In Portugal, fado is for everyone."
Like virtually every aspiring fadista, Ana drew early inspiration from the example of Amalia Rodrigues, the revered singer who most personified the style. "It was her soul and her voice," she comments of the late vocalist's singular imprint on the music. "She had everything in her. Some singers have a great voice by no soul, no intensity. Others have feeling but not a suitable voice. She had it all, and, she was a very good improviser."
Improvising is an under-appreciated part of the fado tradition. One technique, which Ana uses to great effect on the song "Lavava no rio lavava" (I Went to the River to Wash), is what the Portuguese term vocalisos -- the expression of words and effects through use of vocal trills. The practice is believed to have been absorbed over centuries of exposure to Spanish flamenco and Moorish styles.
A key track from her album exquisitely sums up the magnetic pull fado has exerted on Ana. "Sou do fado, sou fadista" (I belong to fado, I am a fadista) by her mentor and primary collaborator, guitarist Jorge Fernando, eloquently explains Ana's total surrender to the style:
"I know my soul has surrendered, taken my voice in hand, twisted in my chest and shown it to the world. And I have closed my eyes in a wistful longing to sing, to sing. And a voice sings to me softly, and a voice enchants me softly, I belong to fado, I belong to fado, I am a fadista."
Today, Ana Moura still thinks of how and where it all began, and of the importance of keeping those vital ties alive. "Before," she muses, "I used to sing in the fado house every day. Today, because of my concert schedule and travel, it's impossible. But, when time permits, I like to return. Sometimes I feel that I must go there. I need that."
(Adapted from a text by Cindy Byram)
Dia de Folga
Ana Moura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O Sr. jeitoso dá tréguas ao berbequim
O galo descansa, ri-se a criança
Hoje não há birras, a tudo diz que sim
O casal em guerra do segundo andar
Fez as pazes, está lá fora a namorar
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga
Sem pressa de ar invencível, saia, saltos, rímel
Vou descer à rua, pode o trânsito parar
O guarda desfruta, a fiscal não multa
Passo e o turista, faz por não atrapalhar
Dona Laura hoje vai ler o jornal
Na cozinha está o esposo de avental
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga
Folga de ser-se quem se é
E de fazer tudo porque tem que ser
Folga para ao menos uma vez
A vida ser como nos apetecer
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para a tristeza ir de volta e o fado celebrar
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga
Este é o fado que se empolga
No dia de folga
No dia de folga
The lyrics to Ana Moura's song "Dia de Folga" describe a day off from the stresses of everyday life. Moura sings about the peace and tranquility that comes with a day where there are no responsibilities and no expectations. She describes the different people in her neighborhood who are all enjoying the day, including a handyman taking a break from work and a couple who just made up after a fight. Moura emphasizes the need to take a break from the daily grind, to recharge one's batteries, and to celebrate life.
The song's chorus repeats the idea of it being a day off, emphasizing the importance of taking a break from everyday life. Moura also touches on the idea of freedom, with lyrics like "Folga de ser-se quem se é" (a break from being who you are) and "A vida ser como nos apetecer" (life being as we please). The idea of freedom is further emphasized with the line "No dia de folga, no dia de folga" (on the day off, on the day off), which creates a sense of repetition and rhythm.
Overall, "Dia de Folga" is a celebration of taking a break from the daily grind and doing whatever brings joy and happiness to one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Manhã na minha ruela, sol pela janela
It's a sunny morning in my neighborhood
O Sr. jeitoso dá tréguas ao berbequim
The handyman takes a break from drilling
O galo descansa, ri-se a criança
The rooster takes a nap, and the child laughs
Hoje não há birras, a tudo diz que sim
Today, there are no fits, and the child agrees to everything
O casal em guerra do segundo andar, Fez as pazes, está lá fora a namorar
The fighting couple on the second floor makes up and is now outside, cuddling
Cada dia é um bico d'obra, Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Every day is a hard task, and we need to renew ourselves
Baterias, há razões de sobra, Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga, É dia de folga
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate today, with a lively fado. It's a day off
Sem pressa de ar invencível, saia, saltos, rímel, Vou descer à rua, pode o trânsito parar
Without the rush and the need to impress, in a skirt, high heels and mascara, I'll go down the street. Traffic may stop
O guarda desfruta, a fiscal não multa, Passo e o turista, faz por não atrapalhar
The guard takes his time, and the inspector doesn't fine me. I walk by and the tourist tries not to get in the way
Dona Laura hoje vai ler o jornal, Na cozinha está o esposo de avental
Mrs. Laura will read the newspaper today, and her husband is wearing an apron in the kitchen
Folga de ser-se quem se é E de fazer tudo porque tem que ser Folga para ao menos uma vez A vida ser como nos apetecer
It's a day off to be oneself, and not to do things because they have to be done. It's a day off to let life be as we want it for once
Para a tristeza ir de volta e o fado celebrar
To send sadness away and celebrate with fado
Este é o fado que se empolga, No dia de folga, No dia de folga
This is the lively fado on a day off, on a day off
Writer(s): Jorge Cruz
Contributed by Adeline V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ruicosta5061
Manhã na minha ruela, sol pela janela
O Sr. jeitoso dá tréguas ao berbequim
O galo descansa, ri-se a criança
Hoje não há birras, a tudo diz que sim
O casal em guerra do segundo andar
Fez as pazes, está lá fora a namorar
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga!
Sem pressa de ar invencível, saia, saltos, rímel
Vou descer à rua, pode o trânsito parar
O guarda desfruta, a fiscal não multa
Passo e o turista, faz por não atrapalhar
Dona Laura hoje vai ler o jornal
Na cozinha está o esposo de avental
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga!
Folga de ser-se quem se é
E de fazer tudo porque tem que ser
Folga para ao menos uma vez
A vida ser como nos apetecer
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para a tristeza ir de folga e o fado celebrar
Cada dia é um bico d'obra
Uma carga de trabalhos, faz-nos falta renovar
Baterias, há razões de sobra
Para celebrarmos hoje com um fado que se empolga
É dia de folga
Este é o fado que se empolga
No dia de folga!
No dia de folga!
@ricardowelbert1
Sou um brasileiro vivendo em Porto há um ano. Conheci essa música pelo rádio no dia em que cheguei e desde então é uma das que mais ouço. Quando não é aqui no YouTube, é no áudio que já está no meu telemóvel. Ana Moura, grande cantora portuguesa! Viva ela! Viva o fado! Viva Portugal!!! \o/
@daniy1426
Ricardo, uma dica se vives (em+o) NO Porto, é que a cidade invicta é masculina "O Porto" tal como a cidade Maravilhosa "O Rio". Um abraço
@silveriorebelo2920
os brasileiros que vivem no Porto, tal como todos os habitantes da cidade, vivem NO Porto (o artigo faz parte do nome da cidade)
@sefaradlevy1726
Ema para melhorar esse português horrível que vós falam
@martavieira5058
Lo
@fattwat1
I am from South Wales UK and have just found this beautiful talented Portuguese lady can anyone give me the names of her backing band
@tom117323
BEAUTIFUL! Portugal has a very underrated music scene. much love from the Netherlands :)
@arabellacoletto793
Asasasa
@alessiadesousamachado9849
Thank you 🥰
@MistyMiaMey
Thank you for passing by 😊