top of page

“Andorinha que Vais Alta”🚋Ceramic Swallow, Bababobo, Souvenirs and Handicraft Shop in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal🛺

  • Writer: BabaBobo
    BabaBobo
  • Apr 16
  • 2 min read

Updated: Apr 18

📜"Andorinha que vais alta" is one of the famous "Quadras ao Gosto Popular" by Fernando Pessoa, published in 1934 in the work Mensagem and later compiled in the poet's archives.


🥹The poem, marked by Saudade and simplicity, depicts the desire of the poetic “I” to receive something it lacks, in a loving or existential search.


✒️The Poem...


Andorinha que vais alta,

Swallow that goes high,

Porque não me vens trazer

Why don't you come and bring me

Qualquer coisa que me falta

Anything I'm missing

E que te não sei dizer?

That I can't tell you?


Tenho um lenço que esqueceu

I have a scarf that forgot

A que se esquece de mim.

The one who forgets me.

Não é dela, não é meu,

It's not hers, it's not mine,

Não é princípio nem fim.

It is neither the beginning nor the end.


Duas horas vão passadas

Two hours have passed

Sem que te veja passar.

Without me seeing you pass.

Que coisas mal combinadas

What poorly combined things

Que são amor e esperar!

Are love and hope!


Houve um momento entre nós

There was a moment between us

Em que a gente não falou.

during which we did not speak.

Juntos, estávamos sós.

Together, we were alone.

Que bom é assim estar só!

How good it is to be alone!


— Fernando Pessoa🧑‍🎨


🗝️Key points 


🎨Theme: Pessoa's poetry, particularly the quatrains, uses simple symbols such as the swallow and the scarf to express complex feelings.


🎨Desire/Lack: The lyrical “me” expresses a vague and inaccessible desire (“a thing I don’t have”).


🎨Simplicity: The form is traditional and popular, approaching popular Portuguese lyrics.


🎨Popular link: The swallow is an emblematic symbol in Portugal associated with spring and the home, often made of ceramic, it decorates the interiors or facades of houses.


Our Ceramic Swallows🚋Bababobo, Souvenirs and Handicraft Shop in Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal🛺


We strive to promote local crafts...




😌Final thoughts…


If you would like to find out more, we invite you to visit this page: "💝The Lisbon Swallow: Unraveling Its Story, Traditions, and Symbolism💝The Lisbon Swallow: Unraveling Its Story, Traditions, and Symbolism".



​Our Store

It is in the unmissable Alfama, whose colorful houses and winding cobbled streets that remind its Moorish origins give it its picturesque charm, that we set up our store in 2013.

 

This neighborhood which has remained authentic, nestled in the very heart of Lisbon, lives at nightfall to the rhythm of fado, a song full of emotion recounting love, life, nostalgia for the past, listened to in establishments dedicated to this art and tradition, is also a reflection of the soul of its city.

In our premises you will find local crafts, portuguese tiles, sardines, swallows, cork and ceramic...  

In addition to essential souvenirs our own creations ranging from photography to jewelry complete our eclectic choice, some pieces of which are offered for sale on the Etsy platform.​

On Etsy

A visit is necessary then, our store is located a stone's throw from the Fado museum, so we look forward to welcoming you!

Bababobo 

Largo do Terreiro do Trigo n°18 e 19

1100-603 Lisboa 

Portugal 

bababobo.creations@outlook.com

​​​​​​​​​

​​​​Places to visit in Alfama

The Fado Museum

The National Pantheon

The Church of São Vicente de Fora 

The Army Museum 

The “Feira da Ladra” flea market
(Tuesdays and Saturdays)

Social Media
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Etsy
  • Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Instagram

Pinterest

Facebook

Etsy

@bababobo.ladies

@bababobo.gentlemen

@bababoboshopping

​@bababoboshottings

All images by Bababobo

bottom of page