Come What May (Haja o que houver) - Madredeus
Come what may,
I am here.
Come what may,
I will wait for you.
Come back in the wind,
Oh my love!
Come back fast, please.
It was so long ago
that I forgot;
why did I linger away from you?
Every moment is worse.
Come back with the wind, please.
I know
who you are to me.
Whatever happens
I will wait for you.
Music in an image
The Torre de Belém (Bethlehem Tower) is a fort built in Lisbon at the beginning of the 16th century. It is on the banks of the Tejo River, which originates in Spain and flows into the Atlantic.
From this river, the largest in Portugal, the vessels and caravels of the ancient explorers who arrived in Brazil departed. Who knows, maybe some of my Portuguese ancestors also came from there?
As a woman, I think of the mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives who watched the wind take their men away. It was a time when rare news, when it arrived, came in slow letters. This song makes me think about these departures and the goodbyes in life…
Notes
Madredeus (mother of God) is a musical group that combines traditional Portuguese music, such as fado, with classical music.
Translating is transcreating. I translated not word for word but the poetic meaning of the music, being faithful to the author’s probable intention. If you have suggestions for improvement, please get in touch by clicking here.
This song is on my Passion Blue playlist in my Apple Music Profile.
Haja o que Houver on Madredeus Channel. Lyrics in Portuguese.
Images: Woman with book (Pexels), Bethlehem Tower (Ana Cecilia Rocha Veiga).
