Sombras
Luís Represas Lyrics
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Esgueiram-se furtivas sem deixar vestígio
Fogem quando os uivos das sirenes frias
Como o azul que deitam lhes aguça a vida
Nem o frio conta como companhia
O orvalho borda a colcha de uma cama fugidia
Os dias ao contrario são as noites do avesso
Às vezes têm fome de saber ter fome
E gritar por quem a fome lhes sacia
Ou o medo esmaga comum beijo quente
E com uma carícia adoça a angustia de ser gente.
Os olhos vêm longe quando estão fechados
E até lhes trazem cheiros que há muito não sentiam.
Há muito não é tanto porque o tempo ainda é pouco
E enquanto os olhos sonham não lhes dão cuidados.
Sentem-se insensíveis e desafiantes
Nada, nem os homens, pode causar dano
A vida não ficou pior do que era dantes
The song Sombras by Luís Represas begins by invoking surreptitious shadows that creep around unseen in the fog. These shadows move furtively, leaving no trace behind them. They flee when the shrill sirens howl, their blueness sharpening their energy. Contrary to what one might expect, the freezing chill doesn’t keep them company, rather dew lines the threadbare sheets of a runaway bed. These days turn into nights, turned upside down, and the feverish temperatures signal the start of delirious nightmares.
Sometimes the shadows are driven by a craving to know hunger and shout out for those who can quell their hunger. Or they crave the warmth of a kiss to ease their anxiety of being alive. These shadows can see far and wide even when their eyes are closed, and they bring back scents that they haven’t felt in ages. Time hasn't been long enough for them, and while their eyes are still dreaming, they do not care. They feel unemotional and challenging and nothing, not even people, can harm them. After all, life has not gotten any worse than it was before.
This song depicts the shadows as abstract entities, lingering on the edge of human frailty. It portrays the individuals who are lost, hurt, and searching for deliverance. The lyrics are haunting, and the music is mournful, reflecting the feeling of despair and melancholy. Luís Represas' work is often a representation of the human experience, and this song resonates well with people who are searching for hope in troubled times.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorrateiras sombras entre o nevoeiro
Stealthy shadows in the mist
Esgueiram-se furtivas sem deixar vestígio
Slipping furtively without leaving a trace
Fogem quando os uivos das sirenes frias
They run away when the howls of the cold sirens
Como o azul que deitam lhes aguça a vida
Like the blue that they emit sharpens their lives
Nem o frio conta como companhia
Not even the cold counts as company
O orvalho borda a colcha de uma cama fugidia
Dew stitches the quilt of a fugitive bed
Os dias ao contrario são as noites do avesso
Days are reversed like upside-down nights
São as febres ao começo do inferno em delírio
Like the fever at the beginning of the delirious hell
Às vezes têm fome de saber ter fome
Sometimes they hunger to know what it is to be hungry
E gritar por quem a fome lhes sacia
And shout out for those who satisfy their hunger
Ou o medo esmaga com um beijo quente
Or fear crushes with a warm kiss
E com uma carícia adoça a angustia de ser gente
And with a caress, sweetens the anguish of being human
Os olhos vêm longe quando estão fechados
Eyes see far away when closed
E até lhes trazem cheiros que há muito não sentiam
And even bring them scents they haven't felt in a long time
Há muito não é tanto porque o tempo ainda é pouco
A long time is not much because time is still short
E enquanto os olhos sonham não lhes dão cuidados
And while the eyes dream, they don't give them any worries
Sentem-se insensíveis e desafiantes
They feel insensible and defiant
Nada, nem os homens, pode causar dano
Nothing, not even men, can cause harm
A vida não ficou pior do que era dantes
Life hasn't gotten worse than it was before
Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.