Toas As Horas São Breves

Joana Amendoeira's song 'Todas As Horas São Breves' delves into the ephemeral nature of time and the longing that accompanies unfulfilled love. The lyrics poignantly express how every moment feels fleeting, and the passage of time only intensifies the yearning for a loved one. The phrase 'Todas as horas são breves' (All hours are brief) sets the tone for the song, emphasizing the transient nature of time and the urgency it brings to the emotions experienced by the narrator.

The song is rich with metaphors that illustrate the depth of the narrator's feelings. The line 'Todo o amor que me deves aumenta quando demoras' (All the love you owe me increases when you delay) suggests that the absence of the loved one amplifies the narrator's longing and desire. The imagery of shadows of desire and kisses that can never be given further highlights the unattainable nature of this love. The narrator's pain is palpable, especially in the lines 'Na brisa da tarde calma onde nasce a Primavera, nasce a dor na minha alma p’ra viver à tua espera' (In the calm afternoon breeze where Spring is born, pain is born in my soul to live waiting for you).

Joana Amendoeira, a renowned fado singer, brings a deep emotional resonance to the song with her soulful voice. Fado, a genre known for its melancholic and expressive nature, perfectly complements the themes of longing and heartache in the lyrics. The song also touches on the idea of distance and separation, as seen in 'Sou do monte, sou da serra e os teus olhos são do mar' (I am from the hills, I am from the mountains, and your eyes are from the sea), which underscores the physical and emotional distance between the narrator and their beloved. The final lines, 'Quando chegares a sorrir, não me tragas compaixão, depois terás de partir, partir o meu coração' (When you arrive smiling, do not bring me compassion, then you will have to leave, break my heart), encapsulate the inevitable heartbreak that comes with this unfulfilled love.