"Bela Infanta" - Medieval Crusade Portuguese ballad (LYRICS + Translation)

portuguesegoy
Published on Jun 20, 2025
Origin: Dirão da Rua, Sortelha, Sabugal, Beira Alta
Genre: Medieval ballad
Original title: "Estava a Bela Infanta"
Artists: Maio Moço
Album: "Canto Maior" (2002)

"A Bela Infanta" ("The Fair Lady") is a typical medieval romance with records from the 16th century, but being contemporary with the crusades and the beginning of Portuguese maritime exploration. This version of the song is very faithful to the recorded version, which was collected in Beira Baixa and embellished by the Portuguese poet Almeida Garrett.

The novel speaks about a noble lady, or princess, who yearns for the return of her husband who departed to Jerusalem, in a crusade. When she spots a large ship, she questions the captain about her husband's whereabouts and he submits her to a set of trials in order to find out how far she was willing to sacrifice for her beloved. The ballad ends with the captain of the fleet revealing his true identity: the infanta's husband, who after so many years wanted to test the loyalty of his wife, who remained always faithful until the end of the novel.

°.•*?☬༒꧂

Origem: Dirão da Rua, Sortelha, Sabugal, Beira Alta
Gênero: balada medieval
Título Original: "Estava a Bela Infanta"
Artistas: Maio Moço
Álbum: "Canto Maior" (2002)

A "Bela Infanta" é um típico romance medieval com registos a partir do século XVI, sendo contemporânea da época das cruzadas e do início da exploração marítima portuguesa. Esta versão da canção é bastante fiel à versão registada, que foi recolhida na Beira Baixa e embelezada pelo poeta português Almeida Garrett.

O romance fala de uma nobre senhora, ou princesa, que anseia pelo regresso do marido que partiu para Jerusalém. Quando finalmente avista uma grande armada, questiona o capitão sobre o paradeiro do seu esposo e este, submete-a a uma série de provações, de modo a descobrir até onde ela estaria disposta a sacrificar pelo seu amado. A balada termina com o capitão da armada a revelar a sua verdadeira identidade: o marido da infanta, e que após tantos anos, queria testar a lealdade da sua esposa que permaneceu fiel até o final do romance.

Recorded version (versão gravada): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9fOAfSTSlA

Another version (outra versão): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Fv4SGFVTA

Artwork (obra): "Aucassin and Nicolette" by Marianne Stokes (unknown date)

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