Gil Vicente

So last Wednesday I did what I never thought I would, I sang at a karaoke bar. I went to the theatre before so I guess I was just inspired by the arts. It was a musical on the changes women have gone through in Mozambique over the past century. I was shockingly attentive during the whole performance, clapping enthusiastically after every scene. I'm not sure if my keen attention span had something to do with the dancers costumes (I will leave it at that) or the uncomfortable bench I sat on.

After the theatre Jose and I walked over to Gil Vicente at 295 Avda. Samora Machel (258)82-323-7300 to listen to some live music and relax with some friends. A list of songs was passed around and of course I put my name beside Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry." I thought it was to determine which songs were the most popular so that the band knew what type of music to play. Then next thing I knew I heard, "Matteus, vem no estágio" (Matthew, come on the stage). Of course my friends were not letting this opportunity pass by so they pointed me out, "Here he is! Here he is!"

I took one last drink and went onto stage. Oddly enough, I was quite calm when I walked onto the stage. I started conjuring up images of famous rock bands and their fans. You know what I am talking about...screaming people chanting your name in unicent...Well let me tell you it was nothing like that. Luckily the bright lights blinded me and I didn't see the glaring looks from the crowd.

I decided to go with it, so I just started singing.

"No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry;
No, woman, no cry"

Apparently the band was not able to download the original lyrics to Bob's song so there were words scattered throughout the song in Portuguese or just completely out of context in English.

For example, Actual lyrics are:

As they would mingle with the good people we meet.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends weve lost

Instead the karaoke lyrics read:

As they would giggle with the good people we meet.
Good friends we have, oh, good friends have cost.

I sang them out anyway. The great thing about karaoke is that if you sing bad enough nobody has any idea whether you are saying the correct lyrics anyway.

For full lyrics to Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry"
(http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/no+woman+no+cry_20021714.html)