Sentimento

Cesária Évora, often referred to as the 'Barefoot Diva,' is renowned for her soulful and melancholic morna music, a genre deeply rooted in the cultural and emotional landscape of Cape Verde. In her song 'Sentimento,' Évora delves into the profound depths of love and longing, painting a vivid picture of emotional vulnerability and heartfelt devotion.

The lyrics of 'Sentimento' are a poignant plea to a loved one, asking for understanding and compassion. The repeated lines 'Rezá pa mi, nha kretxeu / Skutá-me, pur Deus, es nha dôr' translate to 'Pray for me, my dear / Listen to me, for God's sake, this pain of mine.' This invocation sets the tone for the song, highlighting the speaker's intense emotional suffering and desire for solace. The imagery of 'Imájen dose di nha vida' (Sweet image of my life) and 'N krê maguá na bo peite' (I want to rest in your chest) further emphasizes the deep emotional connection and yearning for comfort.

Throughout the song, Évora's lyrics express a sense of unrequited love and the hope that the beloved has not forgotten her. Phrases like 'Falá-me si bo ka skese-m / Pamô inda N kré-bu txeu' (Tell me if you haven't forgotten me / Because I still love you so much) reveal the speaker's lingering affection and the pain of potential abandonment. The repetition of 'Es bo odjin é di-meu / Es bo surrize é pa mi' (Your look is mine / Your smile is for me) underscores the intimate bond and the speaker's desire to reclaim that connection.

The song's emotional climax is reached with the lines 'N ka ten palavra pa N fla-bu / N'es pobre vérsu sen fama / Má N kré-bu ma N ta ama-bu / Ku tudu forsa di nh'alma' (I have no words to tell you / In this poor verse without fame / But I believe that I love you / With all the strength of my soul). Here, Évora conveys the depth of her love and the inadequacy of words to fully capture her feelings. The song concludes with a reaffirmation of the beloved's importance, likening their smile to the sun and the sky, and expressing a desire to be together in a world where the beloved is the only one that matters.