Estava A Bela Infanta - Portuguese Song

Vocals & arrangement by Farya Faraji. This is an old song that began as a Renaissance era composition rooted in an old Portuguese romance that seems to be a retelling of the Odysseus motif but with the Crusades, with a Crusader returning home and testing whether his wife will recognise him or not. The instruments used are the accordion, mandolin, and the adufe, a Portuguese square frame drum commonly used in regions like the Beira. Lyrics in Portuguese: Estava a bela infanta No seu jardim assentada, Com o pente de ouro fino Seus cabelos penteava. Deitou os olhos ao mar Viu vir uma grande armada; Capitão que nela vinha, Muito bem a governava. Dizei-me, vós capitão Dessa tão formosa armada Se vistes o meu marido Na terra que Deus pisava. Anda tanto cavaleiro Naquela terra sagrada … Mas dizei-me vós, senhora Os sinais que ele levava. Levava cavalo branco, Selim de prata dourada; Na ponta da sua lança A cruz de Cristo levava. Pelos sinais que me destes Tal cavaleiro não vi Mas quanto dareis, senhora A quem no trouxera aqui? Daria tanto dinheiro Que não tem conta nem fim E as telhas do meu telhado Que são de oiro e marfim. Guardai o vosso dinheiro Não o quero para mim Que darias mais, senhora A quem o trouxera aqui? As três filhinhas que tenho Todas tas daria a ti A mais formosa de todas Para contigo dormir. As vossas filhas, infanta, Não são damas para mim: Que daríeis mais senhora A quem o trouxera aqui? Não tenho mais que te dar, Nem tu mais que me pedir. Dá-me outra coisa, senhora Se queres que o traga aqui. Este anel de sete pedras Que eu contigo reparti, Que é dela a outra metade? Pois a minha, vê-la aqui! Tantos anos que chorei, Tantos sustos que tremi! Deus te perdoe, marido, Que me ias matando aqui. English translation: The beautiful Royal Princess was Resting in her garden. With a comb made out of fine gold She was combing her hair. She cast her glance upon the sea, She saw a great fleet! The captain who commanded it, Was watching over it very closely. Do tell me, oh captain Of that most beautiful fleet, Whether you have seen my husband In the land where God walked? There are so many knights travelling Across that sacred land! But do tell me, my lady What accoutrements he carried. He rode a white horse, A saddle made out of gold-plated silver; On the tip of his spear, He carried the cross of Christ. As per the description you've given me, I have never met that knight. But, how much would you give, my lady, To he who brought him here, to you? I'd give him so much money Ah! That it could never be counted, And my roof's tiles, Which are made of gold and ivory! Do keep your money; I don't want it at all. What else would you give, my lady, To he who brought him here, to you? The three girls I have, I would all marry them to you; The most beautiful of them all Would sleep with you! Your daughters, oh Princess, I don't want... They are too good for me! What else would you give, my lady, To he who brought him here, to you? I have nothing else to give you, Nor do I have anything else to ask from you! Give me something else, my lady, If you want me to bring him here! This ring of seven gemstones That I split with you... What has happened with the other half? For my half, you can see right here! I have wept for so many years, I've been shaken by so many shocks! May God forgive you, my husband, For you were killing me here!