Papa Joachim Paris
Cesaria Evora Lyrics

The song "Papa Joachim Paris" by Cesária Évora is a melancholic tune about lost love and the pain of heartbreak. The singer asks for forgiveness from Father Joaquim Paris so she can go and cry for Fernando, her first love. The repetition of the request for an hour and a half conveys the depth of the singer's sorrow and the need for time to grieve. The second verse mentions witches from Ribeira de Janela who curse animals, and the singer wonders why they wouldn't curse her first love, Fernandinho. The repetition of this verse reinforces the sense of powerlessness that the singer feels in the face of her lost love.

The song captures the sense of longing and sadness that often accompanies a first love, and the use of the Catholic authority figure in the title draws attention to the idea of seeking solace and comfort in religion. At the same time, the mention of the witches and their curses adds a touch of superstition to the proceedings, suggesting that the heartbreak the singer has experienced is not easily explained or rationalized.

Overall, "Papa Joachim Paris" is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the need for a space to grieve and process difficult emotions.