Lisboa Oxala [English translation]

That's how Lisbon is, laundry hung in the window

That's how Lisbon is, the purple jacaranda tree

I know of another Lisbon, of aprons and slippers

Oh, the Lisbon of the fado, of Alfama1

and hopefully

Lisbon lisboet, of the darkest night

Of streets turned to shadow, of nights and alleyways

Step on the ground, step on the stones, step on the life that is hard

Lisbon so alone, of little streets and alleys

But the face that peeks out from behind the curtain

Is the face of a past turned to love turned to now

Laughter of the tide on the mouth of a ladina

Laughter of the high tide in a kiss that lasts forever

And in this fado I'll make forget that I'll stay here

Lisbon without destination, that the fado made sing

A sailor city without having to sail

The caravelle of the night that one day will arrive

1. neighbourhood in Lisbon