Tourada

The song 'Tourada' by Fernando Tordo is a rich tapestry of metaphor and cultural commentary, woven into the fabric of Portuguese tradition. At first glance, the lyrics seem to describe the spectacle of a bullfight, a deeply rooted cultural event in Portugal. However, a closer look reveals that Tordo is likely using the bullfight as an allegory for political and social struggle, particularly in the context of the Estado Novo regime that ruled Portugal until the Carnation Revolution in 1974.

The repeated references to facing 'beasts' shoulder to shoulder and taking on the world 'by the horns of misfortune' suggest a call to unity and resistance against oppression. The mention of 'Primavera,' which means 'spring' in Portuguese, could be a nod to the 'Primavera Marcelista,' a period of attempted social and political renewal during the Estado Novo. The song's chorus, with its talk of 'bandarilhas of hope' and turning sadness into joy, reinforces the theme of optimism and change.

Tordo's lyrics also include a critique of the various players in the bullfighting scene, which can be seen as a broader critique of society. He mentions 'old crazies and tourists,' 'moralist businessmen,' and 'snobs and cynics,' suggesting a disdain for those who profit from or are entertained by the suffering within the 'arena' of life or politics. The song's closing lines, which speak of the end of songs, could be interpreted as a commentary on censorship and the suppression of cultural expression under authoritarian rule.