Cigana

In João Carreiro's song "Cigana," the protagonist returns to a fortune teller, or 'cigana,' seeking answers and solace after a failed romantic prophecy. The song opens with the protagonist reminding the cigana of their previous encounter, where she had read his palm and predicted a love that he deeply desired. This sets the stage for a narrative filled with hope, longing, and eventual disillusionment.

The protagonist's return to the cigana is marked by a sense of betrayal and confusion. He confronts her, questioning why her prediction did not come true. The woman he longed for has found love with someone else, leaving him heartbroken and questioning the reliability of fate and fortune. This emotional turmoil is vividly captured in the repeated lines, "Ó, cigana, não deu / A sorte me enganou," which translates to "Oh, gypsy, it didn't work / Luck deceived me." The repetition emphasizes his desperation and the depth of his disappointment.

As the song progresses, the protagonist's plea becomes more poignant. He asks the cigana to read his palm again, not to find new love, but to see if he will have the luck to forget his unfulfilled love. This shift from seeking love to seeking forgetfulness highlights a profound emotional journey. The song captures the universal themes of love, loss, and the human desire for closure and understanding. João Carreiro's poignant lyrics and emotive delivery make "Cigana" a touching exploration of the complexities of the human heart and the often unpredictable nature of fate.