Grândola, Vila Morena was written in 1972 by Zeca Afonso, one of the most prominent Portuguese folk and political musicians. What is interesting about this song is the fact that in 1974 it was broadcasted by the radio station Rádio Renascença with the purpose of signalling the beginning of the Carnation Revolution that would end Salazar’s authoritarian regime. Back then, many of Zeca Afonso’s songs were censored by the dictatorship. It was not the case of Grândola, Vila Morena.
The song talks about the fraternity and companionship among the inhabitants of the town of Grândola, in Alentejo, the Southern-Central region of Portugal. It also emphasis the power of people in the nation and the equality among Portuguese people.
During a Zeca Afonso’s concert in March 1974 the audience cheerfully sang Grândola, Vila Morena together, symbolising the unification of the people which then led to the choice of the song for what is today known in Portugal as Liberation Day. This day is extremely important for Portuguese people as it marked the begging of the democracy in the country and the withdrawal of Portugal from its colonies around the world. After four decades, every year Grândola, Vila Morena is sang during the annual celebrations of the Carnation Revolution.
In the song’s video can be seen pictures of the Revolution that show streets full of civilians and military joining forces to peacefully end the dictatorship.
Original lyrics (below in English):
Grândola, vila morena
Terra da fraternidade
O povo é quem mais ordena
Dentro de ti, ó cidade
Dentro de ti, ó cidade
O povo é quem mais ordena
Terra da fraternidade
Grândola, vila morena
Em cada esquina um amigo
Em cada rosto igualdade
Grândola, vila morena
Terra da fraternidade
Terra da fraternidade
Grândola, vila morena
Em cada rosto igualdade
O povo é quem mais ordena
À sombra duma azinheira
Que já não sabia a idade
Jurei ter por companheira
Grândola a tua vontade
Grândola a tua vontade
Jurei ter por companheira
À sombra duma azinheira
Que já não sabia a idade
Lyrics (English translation):
Grândola, swarthy town
Land of fraternity
It is the people who lead
Inside of you, oh city
Inside of you, oh city
It is the people who lead
Land of fraternity
Grândola, swarthy town
On each corner, a friend
In each face, equality
Grândola, swarthy town
Land of fraternity
Land of fraternity
Grândola, swarthy town
In each face, equality
It is the people who lead
In the shadow of a holm oak
Which no longer knew its age
I swore as my companion,
Grândola, your will
Grândola, your will
I swore as my companion
In the shadow of a holm oak
Which no longer knew its age
As a genuine 100% American tourist, my wife and I were on Evora and were so fortunate to visit the Plaza de Giraldo (??).
As it neared midnight we wander down to the celebration from the pousada and were suddenly immersed into a celebration we didn’t then understand. We HEARD the PEOPLE singing this song led by the on-stage vocalist! We immediately knew it was special as it was sung from the heart! What a WOW moment in our lives!
PS: The previous afternoon as we sat in the plaza with our vinho verde and lunch, the school children with balloons, singing and they gave us carnations. Now it makes much more sense than in 2007…… I DID download the song and play it regularly. Still goosebumps.
In 1974 as an Australian representative in Lisbon in the world roller hockey championships which were moved from Angola to Lisbon grandola was playing wherever we were.in Australia the 25 of april is our remembrance day of freedom as 25 of April is your day of freedom through Gr^andola