Is there any English translation of the fado Mae preta?

Answer 1

Mae Preta is a story written in Brazil about the treatment of the Black slaves. It was a poem turned to music for the Portuguese movie "The Lovers of the Tagus" which Amalia Rodrigues was supposed to sing. Because the lyrics referred to Portuguese dictator Salazar's background, the melody was kept but the lyrics were changed to "Barco Negro" (Black Boat). Amalia Rodrigues made this song famous. Black Boat is about a fisherman who dies at sea but his boat returns empty. His widow refuses to believe he is dead because the boat dances in the sea. Amalia Rodrigues recorded Barco Negro and Dulce Pontes later recorded Mae Preta.

Here is the translation of Mae Preta:

Wrinkled skin, white curly hair

Lace blouse down to the hips

Rocking the cradle of the Master's son

which not too long ago the Mistress gave birth to

Thus the Black mother carried on

Bringing up all the Whites (children) with much joy

But while in the slave's quarter's her little Black son was being flogged

Black mother not a tear did she dry

Black mother, Black mother

While the whip lashed at her beloved

Black mother cradled the Master's White son