Senhora do Almortão

The song 'Senhora do Almortão' by Zeca Afonso is a traditional Portuguese folk song that pays homage to a religious figure and expresses regional pride. Zeca Afonso was a significant figure in Portuguese music, known for his political songs that contributed to the Carnation Revolution in 1974. However, this particular song is less political and more cultural in its content.

The lyrics of 'Senhora do Almortão' are a tribute to a religious figure, likely a local saint or the Virgin Mary, referred to as 'Senhora.' The song mentions the 'Almortão,' which could be a reference to a specific place of worship or a region. The repeated invocation of the 'Senhora' and the description of her as a 'rosa encarnada' (red rose) and 'linda raiana' (beautiful border dweller) suggest a deep reverence and affection for this figure. The request for the 'Senhora' to turn her back on Castile and not to wish to be Castilian reflects a sense of regional identity and pride, possibly hinting at historical tensions between Portugal and Spain.

The song also includes vivid imagery, describing the scent of the 'Senhora's' chapel with fragrances of cloves, roses, and orange blossoms, which are often associated with purity and divinity. The reference to 'Nossa senhora da Póvoa' and 'Minha maçã camoesa' (my Camonian apple) could be alluding to other local religious figures or to the richness of Portuguese culture, as 'camoesa' might be a nod to the famous Portuguese poet Luís de Camões. Overall, the song is a celebration of faith, local culture, and the beauty of the Portuguese landscape.