Songs with History

This post is inspired by a road trip through Italy a few years ago when we were listening to a local radio station and a portuguese song started playing. At first, we didn't understand why a portuguese song was playing on a local Italian radio station, but two minutes later we found out. It was a radio show called "Songs with History" and that day it was José Afonso's turn with the song "Grândola, Vila Morena".

"Grândola, Vila Morena" (English: Grândola, Swarthy Town) is a Portuguese song by singer-songwriter José Afonso, recorded in 1971. It was originally released in Afonso's 1971 album Cantigas do Maio and later released in an EP of the same name in 1973, and as a single in 1977.

"Grândola, Vila Morena" became an iconic song in Portugal after being used as a radio-broadcast signal by the Portuguese Armed Forces Movement during their military coup operation in the morning of 25 April 1974, which led to the Carnation Revolution and the transition to democracy in Portugal. It has since been considered a symbol of the revolution and anti-fascism.

Lyric

Grândola, Swarthy Town

Land of fraternity

The people are the ones who order

Within you, o city!

Within you, o city

The people are the ones who order

Land of fraternity

Grândola, Swarthy Town!

In every corner a friend

In every face equality

Grândola, Swarthy Town

Land of fraternity!

Land of fraternity

Grândola, Swarthy Town

In every face equality

The people are the ones who order!

Under the shadow of an oak tree

That no longer knew its age

I swore to have as my companion

Grândola, your will!

Grândola, your will

I swore to have as my companion

Under the shadow of an oak tree

That no longer knew its age

The song is a celebration of the values of fraternity, equality, and popular sovereignty. It is a call to action for the people to unite and take control of their own destiny. The song is set in the town of Grândola, Portugal, which is known for its long history of resistance to oppression.

The first verse of the song introduces Grândola as a land of fraternity and equality. The people are the ones who are in charge, and they are united in their desire for a better future.

The second verse describes the people of Grândola as being friendly and equal. They are all working together to create a better community.

The third verse repeats the message of the first verse, emphasizing the importance of popular sovereignty. The people are the ones who should be in charge, and they should not be afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

The fourth verse is a more personal reflection on the singer's relationship with Grândola. He has sworn to be a companion to the town, and he will always stand by its side.

The song "Grândola, Vila Morena" is a powerful anthem of freedom and hope. It is a reminder that the people have the power to change their own destiny.

Please let's not start saying that ecash is self-custodial. It is not.

You hold the ecash, we get it. The ecash part is non-custodial, ok. It's been thought of that way since the 80s. It's fine to think that way if you're literally the central bank and the ecash you issue IS THE MONEY AND NOT A REPRESENTATION OF AN UNDERLYING ASSET – only a central bank can do this. Repeat with me: Only a central bank can do this.

Ecash today is a representative of an underlying asset. In Cashu and Fedimint that's BTC. You give up control over that underlying asset. You measure everything in terms of that underlying asset. It is all about the underlying asset. You have NO GUARANTEE WHATSOEVER TO REDEEM THAT UNDERLYING ASSET BACK – ecash systems the way we are building them today ARE CUSTODIAL – please don't make things more complicated than they need to be. Please do not manipulate language and especially, do not confuse noobs who are still learning. I almost want to say that a framing like this irresponsible.

What are you going to say to the noob who wants their Bitcoin back but the federation broke down during an update and the database got completely rekt? How is that non-custidal or self-custodial or whatever the opposite of custodial is.

With all due respect, this is a bad take.