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)
Tens os Olhos de Deus
Ana Moura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E os teus lábios nos meus
São duas pétalas vivas
E os abraços que dás
São rasgos de luz e de paz
Num céu de asas feridas
E eu preciso de mais
Preciso de mais
Dos teus olhos de Deus
Num perpétuo adeus
Azuis de sol e de lágrimas
Dizes: fica comigo
És o meu porto de abrigo
E a despedida uma lâmina
Já não preciso de mais
Não preciso de mais
Embarca em mim
Que o tempo é curto
Lá vem a noite
Faz-te mais perto
Amarra assim
O vento ao corpo
Embarca em mim
Que o tempo é curto
Embarca em mim
Tens os olhos de Deus
E cada qual com os seus
Vê a lonjura que quer
E quando me tocas por dentro
De ti recolho o alento
Que cada beijo trouxer
E eu preciso de mais
Preciso de mais
Nos teus olhos de Deus
Habitam astros e céus
Foguetes rosa e carmim
Rodas na festa da aldeia
Palpitam sinos na veia
Cantam ao longe que sim
Não preciso de mais
Não preciso de mais
Embarca em mim
Que o tempo é curto
Lá vem a noite
Faz-te mais perto
Amarra assim
O vento ao corpo
Embarca em mim
Que o tempo é curto
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim que o tempo é curto
Lá vem a noite, faz-te mais perto
Amarra assim o vento ao corpo
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
Embarca em mim
The lyrics of Ana Moura's song "Tens os Olhos de Deus" speak of a love so deep and pure that it feels like divine intervention. The singer describes her partner as having "the eyes of God," and their kisses as "living petals." The embraces they share are described as beams of light and peace in a sky of wounded wings. In spite of this intense love, there remains a sadness that permeates the song as well. The partner with the "eyes of God" must leave, and the singer clings to them, seeking comfort in their touch. The final lines of the song speak to the urgency of the moment, as the singer implores their lover to "embark on me" because time is short.
The lyrics of "Tens os Olhos de Deus" are characterized by their beautiful and poetic metaphors. The use of the phrase "the eyes of God" to describe the singer's partner is especially striking, as it imbues the love between the two with spiritual significance. The idea of "embracing" in moments of sadness is another powerful metaphor, as it suggests a kind of shelter or refuge from pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Tens os olhos de Deus
Your eyes are like God's, full of compassion and understanding.
E os teus lábios nos meus
When our lips touch, it feels like liveliness blossoms all around us.
São duas pétalas vivas
Our lips resemble two vibrant flower petals coming together.
E os abraços que dás
Your hugs are like shards of light and peace that heal every pain.
São rasgos de luz e de paz
Your embrace is a bright and peaceful energy that mends the spirit.
Num céu de asas feridas
We exist in a world of hurt and suffering, but our love is a haven amidst it all.
E eu preciso de mais
Nevertheless, I crave even more of this love and affection.
Preciso de mais
I need more.
Dos teus olhos de Deus
Your gaze, reminiscent of God's, watching over me continually.
Num perpétuo adeus
Your eyes carry both the light of the sun and the melancholy of goodbyes.
Azuis de sol e de lágrimas
Tears of joy and sorrow alike dwell in your blue eyes.
Dizes: fica comigo
You say, 'stay with me.'
És o meu porto de abrigo
You are my safe haven, my refuge.
E a despedida uma lâmina
But, unexpectedly, goodbyes cut like sharp-edged blades.
Já não preciso de mais
Despite wanting more, at this moment, I feel fulfilled in your arms.
Não preciso de mais
I don't need anything more.
Embarca em mim
Come aboard me.
Que o tempo é curto
Time is running out.
Lá vem a noite
Night is approaching.
Faz-te mais perto
Get closer to me.
Amarra assim
Tie yourself to me like this.
O vento ao corpo
Let the wind embrace your body.
Tens os olhos de Deus
Your eyes are divine and almighty.
E cada qual com os seus
Everyone experiences your eyes differently.
Vê a lonjura que quer
Each person perceives what they want from your gaze.
E quando me tocas por dentro
Whenever you touch me deeply.
De ti recolho o alento
I draw breath from you.
Que cada beijo trouxer
Every kiss carries an essence that makes me feel alive.
Nos teus olhos de Deus
In your eyes lies magic and wonder.
Habitam astros e céus
In deep space and skies reside in your eyes.
Foguetes rosa e carmim
Like fireworks in shades of pink and crimson.
Rodas na festa da aldeia
Wheels in a village festival.
Palpitam sinos na veia
Bells pulse through my veins.
Cantam ao longe que sim
They echo from afar, singing affirmatively.
Não preciso de mais
I am satisfied, and I don't need more.
Não preciso de mais
There's nothing else I want.
Writer(s): Pedro Machado Abrunhosa
Contributed by Nolan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Vale
Para nós Portugueses longe da Pátria Mãe, o som da Guitarra Portuguesa é uma Lâmina na Nossa Alma, Rasga a Saudade. Ana Moura Lindíssima, com uma Classe Lusitana! Espetacular Viva Portugal 🇵🇹
Neusa Ribeiro
Bravo 👏!
David Gregório
Bate aquela saudade das origens... Força a todos os tugas espalhados pelo mundo e que sentem alma lusitana sempre... 🙏🏻
Lucas Rocha
Entendo perfeitamente. Senti isso hoje ao ouvir sanfona cá em Portugal 🫂
Barreto
Como brasileiro ouvir Ana Moura me remete à uma sensação de em alguma vida anterior já ter transitado por Portugal.
Acuti Mors
O orgulho de ter o meu Portugal na voz desta senhora!
Luiza
Vdd
Gucio E
Uma grande artista que celebra Portugal no mundo com o seu canto de fado. Saudações da Polônia.
Slawomir.
Eliza Almeida
Este é um achado que não perco mais. Há três dias encontrei está cantora, até então, não conhecia. Sorte a minha, pois agora sei o quanto uma canção pode ser grande dentro da gente. A intérprete faz isso, os músicos, todo o conjunto, uma obra perfeita. De modo muito particular a sensibilidade de Ana Moura. Lindo demais!👏👏👏👏
John Gomez
excelente;tenho muito orgulho de ser musico portugues,saudades aqui da california.