Cantigas do Maio
Sétima Legião Lyrics

The lyrics of Sétima Legião's song "Cantigas do Maio" paint a portrait of love, loss, and the passage of time. The verses describe encounters with various women, each accompanied by a gesture of affection. The singer presents roses, a linen handkerchief, a silk quilt, and a red rose to different women to symbolize their connection and his desire for them to remember him. These gifts serve as tokens of his love and longing, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of relationships and the transient nature of life.

The repeated refrain of "Minha mãe quando eu morrer" (My mother when I die) adds a layer of melancholy and reflection to the narrative. The singer directs this message to his mother, asking her to mourn for him, to acknowledge the suffering he endured, and to ultimately accept the cycle of life and death. The reference to God giving and taking away highlights the singer's acceptance of his mortality and the inevitability of fate, suggesting a sense of resignation and humility in the face of life's uncertainties.

The imagery of encounters with different women in various settings, such as a garden or a boat, creates a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The act of bestowing gifts upon these women symbolizes both a desire for connection and a sense of yearning for something beyond reach, echoing themes of unrequited love and longing. The repetition of these encounters and gifts emphasizes a sense of cyclicality and eternal return, reflecting the timeless nature of human emotions and desires.

The final verses evoke a sense of searching and yearning, as the singer wanders through green fields in search of his beloved. The mention of swallows that do not stop and some that return symbolizes the impermanence of relationships and the unpredictable nature of love. The repeated plea to the singer's mother to mourn for him serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of human existence and the universal experience of loss and longing. Overall, the lyrics of "Cantigas do Maio" invite listeners to reflect on the complexities of love, memory, and mortality, weaving together themes of longing, remembrance, and acceptance in a poignant and evocative narrative.