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.
Musa
Cristina Branco Lyrics
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Com as mãos sobre os joelhos
Quieta, muda, secreta
Passiva como os espelhos
Musa ensina-se o canto
Irmanente e latente
Eu quero ouvir devagar
Que me foge de repente
The lyrics of Cristina Branco's song Musa depict a serene moment of introspection. The singer sits quietly with her hands folded on her lap, feeling passive and secretive like a mirror. In this vulnerable state, Branco turns to her Muse for guidance, asking her to teach her the song that is inherent and latent within her. She wishes to listen to her Muse's sudden outburst of song that seems to escape her as soon as it appears.
The song's concept revolves around the idea of artistic inspiration and how it can be elusive yet ever-present within one's self. It reveals the importance of listening and paying attention to one's Muse to be able to express oneself fully. As Branco listens to her Muse's song, she yearns to grasp its essence to inspire her own artistry.
Overall, the lyrics of Musa evoke a sense of peaceful reflection, inspiring listeners to seek out their own artistic Muse and listen to its divine inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Aqui me sentei quieta
I sat here quietly
Com as mãos sobre os joelhos
Hands resting atop my knees
Quieta, muda, secreta
Silent, still, enigmatic
Passiva como os espelhos
As passive as a mirror's reflection
Musa ensina-se o canto
Muse, teach me to sing
Irmanente e latente
Inherent and latent
Eu quero ouvir devagar
I want to listen slowly
O teu súbito falante;
Your sudden speech;
Que me foge de repente
Which suddenly disappears from me
Contributed by London F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.