Monk Knight

My favorite fadista of all times, Mariza, sings this great poem by the Portuguese icon Fernando Pessoa. The poem itself is lyrical, and so lends itself for this fusion with fado that Mariza has recorded. The music video goes along with the mood of the mournful melody, and gives off vibes of quietness and relaxation. We are treated to a medieval image, reminiscent of the era which the poem attempts to take us into.

Mariza, born to a Portuguese father in Mozambique, moved to Lisbon at a very early age. The accent you hear in the video is, therefore, lisboeta — from Lisbon.

The actual poem follows, with my (literal) English translation.

 

Do vale à montanha, Da montanha ao monte, cavalo de sombra, Cavaleiro monge, Por casas, por prados, Por quinta e por fonte, Caminhais aliados.  Do vale à montanha, Da montanha ao monte, Cavalo de sombra, Cavaleiro monge, Por penhascos pretos, Atrás e defronte, Caminhais secretos.  Do vale à montanha, Da montanha ao monte, Cavalo de sombra, Cavaleiro monge,   Por prados desertos Sem ter horizontes Caminhais libertos. Do vale à montanha, Da montanha ao monte, Cavalo de sombra, Cavaleiro monge,  Por ínvios caminhos Por rios sem ponte Caminhais sozinhos. Do vale à montanha, Da montanha ao monte, Cavalo de sombra, Cavaleiro monge, Por quanto é sem fim, Sem ninguém que o conte, Caminhais em mim.

From the valley to the mountain, From the mountain to the forest, Horse of shadow, Monk knight, Through houses, through meadows, Through farms and through fountains, You walk as allies. From the valley to the mountain, From the mountain to the forest, Horse of shadow, Monk knight, Through black crags, Front and back, You walk secretly. From the valley to the mountain, From the mountain to the forest, Horse of shadow, Monk knight, Through deserted meadows Without horizons You walk being free. From the valley to the mountain, From the mountain to the forest, Horse of shadow, Monk knight, Through roads without ways, Through rivers without bridges, You walk alone. From the valley to the mountain, From the mountain to the forest, Horse of shadow, Monk knight, Due to how much there is without end, Without anyone talking about it, You walk in me.