Olhos Negros

The song 'Olhos Negros,' performed by Teresa Salgueiro, a Portuguese singer known for her work with the musical ensemble Madredeus, delves into the themes of love, longing, and the beauty of black eyes. The lyrics are poetic and carry a sense of melancholy mixed with admiration. The phrase 'Os teus olhos, negros negros' which translates to 'Your eyes, black black,' immediately sets the tone for a song that is deeply focused on the visual and emotional impact of a lover's eyes. The repetition of the word 'negros' (black) emphasizes the depth and intensity of these eyes.

The song makes a historical reference to the 'gentios da Guiné,' which means 'natives of Guinea,' a region in Africa. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the exotic and captivating nature of the eyes that are being sung about. The mention of 'gentios por não ter fé' (natives for having no faith) might suggest a sense of innocence or purity in the eyes of the beloved. The comparison of the eyes to 'luzeiros que o céu tem' (lights that the sky has) likens them to stars, adding a celestial quality to the object of the singer's affection.

The final stanza speaks of the singer's own eyes, which have cried so much that they've made 'covas no chão' (holes in the ground). This hyperbolic expression conveys the depth of the singer's sorrow and unrequited love. The question 'Os teus por quem chorarão?' (Yours for whom will they cry?) leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved yearning, as the singer wonders if the object of her affection will ever experience the same depth of emotion for someone else.