She grew up far from the fado houses of Lisbon and nothing suggested that she was predestined for the fado. Like almost all young Portuguese born after the revolution of 1974, she was interested in folk music, jazz, blues, bossa nova but not in fado. She regarded it as a genre for a different generation. This lasted until her 18th birthday, when her grandfather gave her the album Rara e Inédita by Amália Rodrigues. Suddenly, Cristina Branco discovered all the emotions that the genre could offer in the close connections that arose among voice, poetry and music. The amateur singer - then studying communication sciences and still full of her ambition to become a journalist - began to develop her vocal technique and to take her new vocation seriously.
After that, Cristina studied the poems from which major fado lyrics are taken.
Since then, Cristina has worked on her fado repertory, accompanied by Custódio Castelo on guitar and as composer.
Halfway through the nineties, other young musicians also found a new means of expression in the fado and this contributed to a surprising renaissance. Just as they did, Cristina Branco began to make clear choices in which respect for the tradition went hand in hand with the desire for renewal.
There can be no doubt that Cristina Branco is developing her own style from a number of primary components. She employs a traditional group (voice, Portuguese guitar, guitar and bass guitar) and offers us concurrently a light, warm and experienced voice; she mixes the traditional fado with themes and folk songs that are personal favourites and seems always to choose the words of the best Portuguese, or even Dutch poets with discretion.
Manto de Açucenas
Cristina Branco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Manto de açucenas
Pousando levemente no andor
os pés da Virgem Mãe lembram apenas
as pombas tão amadas do Senhor
num manto imaculado de açucenas
E vão p'lo mundo fora caminhando
nessa doce missão de proteger
quem vive tristemente procurando
a forma mais humana de viver
REFRÃO: Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
acorda a nossa almda adormecida
e faz sentir a dor de ter pecado
de todas a maior da nossa vida
Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
acorda a nossa alma adormecida
E todo protecção e caridade
seu rosto vai sorrindo a quem o vê
num gesto de carinho e de bondade
tocando mesmo aquele que não crê
E leves vão batendo Tuas contas
ao doce caminhar do teu andor
e em cada uma delas Tu descontas
as contas que devemos ao Senhor
REFRÃO: Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
acorda a nossa almda adormecida
e faz sentir a dor de ter pecado
de todas a maior da nossa vida
Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
acorda a nossa alma adormecida
The lyrics of Cristina Branco's song "Manto de açucenas" describe the Virgin Mary's gentle presence walking on an altar covered in white lilies, resembling the beloved doves of God. She is on a mission to protect those who are struggling and searching for a more human way of living. The refrain expresses how the Virgin Mary's saddened smile awakens and creates a profound sense of empathy and sorrow for sinners, who have committed the greatest flaw of their lives.
The lyrics paint a serene image of the Virgin Mary's mission and her journey to spread kindness and warmth to everyone she encounters. She grants protection and charity by smiling at those in need, even at those who do not believe in her. The Virgin Mary's beads rhythmically chime and deliver a melody that symbolizes the losses and gains in life, and each bead accounts for the personal debts owed to God. The song emphasizes the profound spiritual journey and the importance of forgiveness and repentance.
Line by Line Meaning
Pousando levemente no andor
Gently landing on the litter
os pés da Virgem Mãe lembram apenas
The feet of the Virgin Mother only remind us
as pombas tão amadas do Senhor
Of the doves so loved by the Lord
num manto imaculado de açucenas
In a spotless mantle of lilies
E vão p'lo mundo fora caminhando
And they go walking throughout the world
nessa doce missão de proteger
In that sweet mission of protecting
quem vive tristemente procurando
Those who sadly search for
a forma mais humana de viver
The most humane way of living
REFRÃO: Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
CHORUS: Lady, your sorrowful smile
acorda a nossa almda adormecida
Awakens our sleeping soul
e faz sentir a dor de ter pecado
And makes us feel the pain of having sinned
de todas a maior da nossa vida
Of all the greatest sin of our life
Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
Lady, your sorrowful smile
acorda a nossa alma adormecida
Awakens our sleeping soul
E todo protecção e caridade
And all protection and charity
seu rosto vai sorrindo a quem o vê
Her face smiles at those who see it
num gesto de carinho e de bondade
In a gesture of affection and kindness
tocando mesmo aquele que não crê
Touching even those who do not believe
E leves vão batendo Tuas contas
And softly your beads strike
ao doce caminhar do teu andor
To the sweet walk of your litter
e em cada uma delas Tu descontas
And in each of them you discount
as contas que devemos ao Senhor
The debts we owe to the Lord
REFRÃO: Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
CHORUS: Lady, your sorrowful smile
acorda a nossa almda adormecida
Awakens our sleeping soul
e faz sentir a dor de ter pecado
And makes us feel the pain of having sinned
de todas a maior da nossa vida
Of all the greatest sin of our life
Senhora Teu sorriso magoado
Lady, your sorrowful smile
acorda a nossa alma adormecida
Awakens our sleeping soul
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mariapaolamattolini3234
Que beleza! ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹
@beatricetortorici6469
Bellissima questa melodia.
@EmmaRose473
such a beautiful voice!
@CristinaDauria
/ * TALENTOSAAAA.....FADISTAAA....!!! */