Com Que Voz

Amália Rodrigues, often hailed as the 'Queen of Fado,' delivers a poignant and deeply emotional performance in her song 'Com Que Voz.' The lyrics of this song are steeped in sorrow and longing, capturing the essence of fado—a genre known for its themes of fate, longing, and melancholy. The song's title, which translates to 'With What Voice,' sets the tone for a lamentation of lost love and the enduring pain that follows.

The opening lines, 'Com que voz chorarei meu triste fado / Que em tão dura paixão me sepultou,' immediately immerse the listener in a world of profound sadness. Rodrigues sings of a love so intense that it has buried her in a harsh passion, leaving her to mourn her fate. The repetition of 'o tempo, que me deixou o tempo' emphasizes the relentless passage of time, which has only deepened her sorrow and disillusionment. This sense of time as both a healer and a tormentor is a recurring theme in fado music.

As the song progresses, Rodrigues reflects on the futility of her tears and sighs, acknowledging that they bring no solace. 'Triste quero viver / Pois se mudou em tristeza / A alegria do passado' speaks to a life now defined by sadness, where past joys have been irrevocably transformed into present sorrows. The cause of her suffering is revealed to be 'amor puro,' a pure love for someone who is now absent. This unfulfilled love has led her to risk everything, including her life and well-being, underscoring the depth of her emotional turmoil.

'Com Que Voz' is a masterful expression of the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Amália Rodrigues' haunting voice and the lyrical depth of the song make it a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited love.