Aqui

Fernando Maurício's song 'Aqui' is a poignant exploration of the deep emotional and cultural roots of Fado, a traditional Portuguese music genre. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the intimate relationship between the singer and the art form, highlighting how Fado serves as a vessel for expressing profound emotions such as sorrow, nostalgia, and solitude. The opening lines, 'Aqui, em cada fado, há uma flor / No canteiro da alma de quem canta,' suggest that each Fado song is like a flower blooming in the soul of the singer, symbolizing the beauty and pain intertwined in the music.

The song continues to delve into the therapeutic nature of Fado, with lines like 'Aqui, cada guitarra embala a dôr / Quando á noite, a saudade se levanta.' This metaphorical language illustrates how the guitar's melodies cradle the singer's pain, especially when 'saudade'—a unique Portuguese term for a deep, melancholic longing—rises at night. The imagery of a cigarette 'engana a mágoa' (deceives the sorrow) and perfumes the sadness with illusion further emphasizes the bittersweet comfort that Fado provides.

'Aqui' also reflects on the passage of time and the enduring presence of the past. The lyrics 'Aqui, toda a distãncia do passado / Senta-se á minha mesa de mansinho' convey how the past quietly sits at the singer's table, a constant companion. The song culminates in a declaration of identity and resilience, 'Aqui, sinto a coragem de ser eu / Ao rir do meu passado fatalista,' where the singer finds the courage to embrace their true self and their fatalistic past through the act of singing Fado. This powerful conclusion underscores the transformative power of Fado, allowing the singer to fully embody their role as a 'fadista'—a Fado singer—both in body and soul.