Povo que lavas no rio

Literally this song is called You People who wash (clothes) in the river. Sounds a bit weird but it is intrinsically related to our country: some years ago it was quite common to see dozens of "lavadeiras" (ladies) that were washing their clothes in the river. And, of course, you can imagine these ladies, were not rich. Washing in the riverside was something "reserved" for the poor. So the river was not only the place were clothes could be washed but also the meeting point of these ladies to chat about their lives: their families, the rural work, their joys and, of course, their loves.
And there was singing!! Some of the most expressive and funny songs we know were created in this special ambience. Here is an example of how it was in 30´s (this video was taken from the movie "Aldeia da Roupa Branca" (Village of the white clothes, 1938)


"Oh river don´t complain
the soap doesn´t kill
Even washes the fish
Leaves them like silver!
...
Cold water from the river
Cold water that the sun made warm
seeing the village, brings to the idea
White clothes that we hung to dry"

For you to have an idea of how it was! :)

So...inspired on this scenario, filled up with humble and generous people, Pedro Homem de Mello wrote in Povo que lavas no rio (I will try to find a translation), a fado that was first performed live by Amalia in 1963. But it is not a joyful song like those sang by the "lavadeiras". It is a song that talks about these people, their simplicity, their light hearts, heir hopeless destiny based on a lifetime of hard work; there are no metaphysical concerns on their minds just the resigned certainty that the next day of work would come and that God would be there for them no matter what.

Here is a video of this song performed by Mariza on the Royal Albert Hall in November 2006, London