Born on the 27th August 1941 in the port town of Mindelo, Cape Verde, on the island of São Vicente. Long known as the queen of the morna, a soulful genre (related to the Portuguese fado) sung in Creole-Portuguese, she mixed her sentimental folk tunes filled with longing and sadness with the acoustic sounds of guitar, cavaquinho, violin, accordion, and clarinet. Évora's Cape Verdean blues often spoke of the country's history of isolation and slave trade, as well as emigration; almost two-thirds of the million Cape Verdeans alive live abroad.
Évora's voice, a finely-tuned, melancholy instrument with a touch of hoarseness, highlighted her emotional phrasing by accenting a word or phrase. Even audiences who do not understand her language could be held spell-bound by the emotions evident in her performances.
In 2004 she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
A heavy smoker for decades, Évora was diagnosed with heart problems in 2005. She suffered strokes in 2008 and in September 2011, when she announced she was retiring. She died at the age of seventy in São Vicente, Cape Verde on the 17th December 2011 from respiratory failure and hypertension. A Spanish newspaper reported that forty-eight hours before her death she was still receiving people in her home in Mindelo, popular for always having its doors open.
Angola
Cesária Évora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Parodia dia e note manché
Sem maca ma cu sabura
Angola angola
Oi qu'povo sabe
Ami nhos ca ta matá-me
'M bem cu hora pa'me ba nha caminho
Ess convivência dess nhôs vivência
Resistência dum estravagância
The lyrics of Cesária Évora's "Angola" are an ode to the resilience and strength of the Angolan people despite their struggles. The opening line "Ess vida sabe qu'nhôs ta vivê" (this life knows how we live) suggests that life is tough for the Angolans, but they have learned how to survive and thrive despite the challenges. The chorus repeats the word "Angola" as a recurring motif, perhaps indicating the deep connection the singer feels to her homeland.
The second verse "Oi qu'povo sabe" (oh, how the people know) highlights the singer's admiration for the Angolan people's collective spirit and unity. She acknowledges that they won't betray her or kill her, perhaps a testament to the trust and solidarity that is necessary in a society where basic safety and security may not be guaranteed.
The final verse "Ess convivência dess nhôs vivência, paciência dum consequência, resistência dum estravagância" (the coexistence of our lives, patience as a consequence, resistance as a extravagance) suggests that despite the difficulties, the Angolan people persevere and continue to live their lives with dignity, patience and strength. The use of contrasting words such as "resistance" and "extravagance" highlights the complexity and nuance of the Angolan experience, where the struggle against oppression and injustice is interwoven with colorful and vibrant cultural expressions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ess vida sabe qu'nhôs ta vivê
This life knows how we live
Parodia dia e note manché
Jokes during the day and tears at night
Sem maca ma cu sabura
Without a knife, but with wisdom
Angola, Angola
Angola, Angola
Oi qu'povo sabe
Oh, how the people know
Ami nhos ca ta matá-me
I won't let you kill me
'M bem cu hora pa'me ba nha caminho
But it's time for me to go my way
Ess convivência dess nhôs vivência
This coexistence is your way of life
Paciência dum consequência
Patience is a consequence
Resistência dum estravagância
Resistance is an extravagance
Contributed by Max K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stanleygeiseb3477
what a great legend that walked thee earth.
@davidmiranda123
Cantora Cabo Verdiana a cantar para o mundo "Angola". Uma das melhores cantoras Africanas. Obrigado.
@teresamarcelo3288
Nāo importa que passe dias,meses e até mesmo anos . ANGOLA É SEMPRE ANGOLA...grande voz obrigada por esta musica ! Saudades da minha Terra malditos comunistas ....❤😢😢
@silvaramalho4511
Rip Legend caboverdiana un abraco da Italia obrigada raiha 🇨🇻🇨🇻🇨🇻💕💕🇮🇹🙏💐❤️
@alfredobolano9597
Vivi en Angola por muchos tiempo..soy Colombiano
@kgosimojatau1339
Beautiful music! Rest in Peace Mama Cesario!!
@iago_c
Que maravilla cuando descubres una cancion/artista como esta
@lydiajm7075
This woman inspires, soothes, and brightens my spirit with her melodious, soulful sound. What an incredible singer and woman. <3
@claudiamessiah8227
Oh Miss Evora may God rest your soul! You r missed to the utmost!
@bangaleekonneh2130
I First Listened To This Song On A Plane (Air Turkey) On My Way From TURKEY🇹🇷 To COLOMBIA 🇨🇴… Eversince It Had Been Stuck In My Head 😢❤…
I Really Don’t Understand A Single Word In This Song But I LOVE IT SO MUCH 😭💯💯