“Fado” is the Portugese word for “fate”. It is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. Portugal’s political crisis and potentially being the next domino to fall in Europe, with very uncertain implications for the continent and the world at large, made me think of the fado, which really can be about anything, as long as it follows a certain structure.  I could not find a translation, but Joana Amendoeira’s Fado rosa maria sounds like something one would like to listen to, embracing an uncertain fate…

PS Any Portugese speakers who can help us out with the lyrics ?