A Casa da Mariquinhas
Alfredo Marceneiro
The House of the Little Girls
On a quirky street
Is the house of the little girls
In the living room, a guitar
And windows with wooden boards
She lives with many friends
The one I'm talking about
And there's no greater gift
Than the life of girls
She's crazy for the songs
Like the cicada in the field
Singing fado with the guitar
So moved she even cries
The cheerful house where she lives
Is on a quirky street
To get noticed
She wears quirky things
Lots of lace, lots of ribbons
Scarves of varied colors.
Sought after, desired
Proud like the queens
She laughs at the many, poor things
Who rudely judge her
For seeing it full of people
The house of the little girls
It looks simple
But it's poorly furnished
And deep down it’s worth nothing
The everything of her house
On the ledge of each window
On a column, a vase
Covers of chintz with borders
Pictures of questionable taste
Instead of having a piano
She has a guitar in the living room
To keep her meager belongings
She bought a strong safe
And since the gas ran out
She lights it with oil.
She cleans the furniture with oil
Of sweet almond and cheap stuff
Neighbors pass by
To see what's going on
But she, just to be spiteful
Has windows with wooden boards.