He started gaining recognition in Portugal in 1979 after winning the "Grande Noite do Fado" (Great Fado Night). After this first step, the true "alfacinha" (inhabitant of Lisbon) consistently worked his way up with well accepted records and great shows at places ranging from small "Casas de Fado" (Fado clubs) in Lisbon as well as sold out audiences throughout Europe in some of the most prestigious festivals and venues. Camane was formerly married to another great fadista, Aldina Duarte.
He has released five albums: "Uma Noite de Fados" (1995), "Na Linha da Vida" (1998) marking the beginning of three records produced by José Mário Branco, "Esta Coisa da Alma" (2000), "Pelo Dia Dentro" (2001) and "Como sempre... Como dantes" (live in 2003). These have been released in several european and asian countries. He has been distinguished with several awards for his voice and talent.
Acordem As Guitarras
Camané Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que eu quero ouvir o fado
p'las sombras da moirama
p'las brumas dessa Alfama
do Bairro Alto amado.
Acordem as guitarras
até que mãos amigas
desfiem numa reza
os aros de cantigas.
Cantigas do fado
retalhos de vida
umbrais dum passado
de porta corrida
São ais inocentes
que embargam a voz
das almas dos crentes
que rezam por nós.
Acordem as vielas
aonde o fado mora
e há um cantar de beijos
em marchas de desejos
que vão pela vida fora.
Acordem as tabernas
até que o fado canta
em doce nostalgia
aquela melodia
que tanto nos encanta.
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Camané's song "Acordem As Guitarras" are an invitation to awaken the fado singers and guitars, so that they can evoke the shadows and mists of Alfama, the beloved Bairro Alto, and the alleyways where the fado resides. The song expresses a desire to hear the strains of fado, the traditional Portuguese music genre that expresses the soul of Lisbon and its people. The words evoke a melancholic nostalgia and a longing for the stories and traditions of the past.
The song refers to the innocent laments that choke the voices of the believers who pray for them. This phrase suggests that the fado is not only a form of music but also a religious or spiritual expression that reflects the suffering and joys of life. The message of the song is that the fado is a living tradition that must be preserved and celebrated. The lyrics call upon the people of Lisbon to remember and honor their roots and to keep the fado alive for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Acordem os fadistas
Let the fado singers wake up
que eu quero ouvir o fado
because I want to listen to fado
p'las sombras da moirama
through the shadows of the moorish quarter
p'las brumas dessa Alfama
through the mists of this beloved Alfama
do Bairro Alto amado.
of the beloved Bairro Alto.
Acordem as guitarras
Let the guitars wake up
até que mãos amigas
until friendly hands
com a graça que nos preza
with the grace that treasures us
desfiem numa reza
unravel in a prayer
os aros de cantigas.
the rings of songs.
Cantigas do fado
Fado songs
retalhos de vida
pieces of life
umbrais dum passado
thresholds of a past
de porta corrida
behind closed doors
São ais inocentes
They are innocent sighs
que embargam a voz
that choke the voice
das almas dos crentes
of the souls of the believers
que rezam por nós.
who pray for us.
Acordem as vielas
Let the alleys wake up
aonde o fado mora
where fado resides
e há um cantar de beijos
and there is a singing of kisses
em marchas de desejos
in processions of desires
que vão pela vida fora.
that go through life.
Acordem as tabernas
Let the taverns wake up
até que o fado canta
until fado sings
em doce nostalgia
in sweet nostalgia
aquela melodia
that melody
que tanto nos encanta.
that enchants us so much.
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.