"O Gente Da Minha Terra"
Mariza Lyrics


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É meu e vosso este fado
Destino que nos amarra
Por mais que seja negado
Às cordas de uma guitarra

Sempre que se ouve o gemido
De uma guitarra a cantar
Fica-se logo perdido
Com vontade de chorar

Ó gente da minha terra
Agora é que eu percebi
Esta tristeza que trago
Foi de vós que recebi

E pareceria ternura
Se eu me deixasse embalar
Era maior a amargura
Menos triste o meu cantar

Ó gente da minha terra
Agora é que eu percebi
Esta tristeza que trago
Foi de vós que recebi


Ó gente da minha terra
Agora é que eu percebi




Esta tristeza que trago
Foi de vós que recebi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mariza's song "O Gente Da Minha Terra" speak to the deep emotional connection to one's roots and the fado music that is so intertwined with Portugal's culture. The first verse speaks directly to this connection, declaring that fate has bound the people to this musical tradition through the melancholic sound of the guitar. The second verse expresses the power of the guitar's mournful tone to move and overwhelm the listener, leading them to weep along with its song.


The chorus addresses "ó gente da minha terra" or "oh people of my land," and the singer's recognition that her sadness comes from them. She observes that if she allowed herself to give in to the tug of the guitar, there would be sweetness in her pain and her singing would be less sorrowful. It's as though she's acknowledging that in allowing herself to be vulnerable to the guitar's emotional pull, she would be connecting more fully to the spirit of fado.


Overall, the song is a poignant expression of the Portuguese musical tradition and its ability to stir deep emotions in those who listen to it. It's also a tribute to the people and the land that gave rise to this musical form, and the sense of longing and sorrow that is so deeply ingrained in the Portuguese cultural identity.


Line by Line Meaning

É meu e vosso este fado
This fate is ours, yours and mine


Destino que nos amarra
A destiny that binds us


Por mais que seja negado
Even though it may be denied


Às cordas de uma guitarra
By the strings of a guitar


Sempre que se ouve o gemido
Whenever one hears the moaning


De uma guitarra a cantar
Of a guitar singing


Fica-se logo perdido
One is immediately lost


Com vontade de chorar
With the desire to cry


Ó gente da minha terra
Oh people of my land


Agora é que eu percebi
Now I realize


Esta tristeza que trago
This sadness I carry


Foi de vós que recebi
I received it from you


E pareceria ternura
And it would seem like tenderness


Se eu me deixasse embalar
If I let myself be rocked


Era maior a amargura
The bitterness would be greater


Menos triste o meu cantar
My singing less sad




Writer(s): Amalia Rodrigues, Tiago Machado

Contributed by Caden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

LauraMorland

I saw her perform in Berkeley (California) a couple of years ago. Mariza is AMAZING! I had the piece of luck to run into her after the show and was able to thank her. She is SO regal in person. Intimidating and awe-inspiring. Thank you for this lovely song.

Paulo Filipe de Sousa

⁰⁰

Edite Esteves

Este é o nosso gemido, o nosso gritop, a alma da gente desta nossa terra portuguesa, de que devemos ter muito orgulho!

José Leôncio

Muito bonito este fado e belissima voz da Mariza ! Um abraço de um brasileiro aos portugueses .

Lauriane SELIDONIO

My cousin sang this at our avo’s funeral.
Great memories with her

Jose DaSilva

I am from U.S.A I saw her 3 times ...QUE LINDA!!!I CRY ALL THE TIME!

Patricia Mendes

Amooo ❤😘🙏Este lindo fado ❤

Matilde Ramalho

Eu choro a ouvir este lindo fado que me faz lembrar a minha terra meu portugal eu vivo longe vivo na suica

Meire Alt

Eu nem portuguesa sou, e choro...

Paulo Gonçalves

Sinto me arrepiado,sempre que ouço:)

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