O Passarinho Prisioneiro

The song 'O Passarinho Prisioneiro' by Cantigas Populares tells a poignant and sorrowful story of a bird that falls victim to a vagabond's trap. The narrative begins with the bird, perched on a dry branch, singing a song to its young ones. This serene moment is abruptly shattered when a vagabond, who is described as always being in a festive mood, sets a trap for the unsuspecting bird. The bird, lured by the bait, descends happily, only to find itself ensnared and imprisoned, letting out a cry of despair.

The vagabond's reaction is one of cruel amusement, as he laughs heartily at the bird's plight. The once joyful bird, now a prisoner, loses its will to sing. As dawn breaks, the bird hears the distant cries of its young and is filled with a desperate urge to escape. However, the walls of its prison hold it back, causing immense anguish, likened to the pain of a mother's heart. In its frantic attempts to break free, the bird injures itself severely, ultimately falling to the ground, bloodied and near death.

In its final moments, the bird bids a sorrowful farewell to its children and the forest where it once sang freely. It curses the vagabond who stole its joy, hoping that he too will one day lose his laughter. The bird's last words are a plea for release, lamenting that it was meant to live and celebrate life in the forest. The vagabond, perhaps moved by the bird's plight, rushes to open the cage, but it is too late. The bird is dead, and its song is silenced forever. This tragic tale serves as a powerful metaphor for the loss of freedom and the cruelty that can arise from thoughtless actions.