Provincetown Portuguese
Festival
The Old Legend of Barcelos' Cock
Once a certain man was condemned at Barcelos', a small town on the North of Portugal, to be hanged for a crime which he had not committed.
In vain did he swear his innocence but found no alibi to prove the truth of his affirmation.
Under a sudden faith impulse, he appealed to Our Lady and St. James, his patron Saint, for protection, imploring them to release him from the unjust sentence he was going to serve.
Then, he asked to be allowed to go to the presence of the Judge, since it was his last wish. The Magistrate received him in his dining room, where he was having a meal.
Once again, the man under sentence of death, swore his innocence, and as a sudden defiance to Providence he added, that the roasted cock which lay on a tray on the Judge's table would get up and crow if his statements were really true.
And, indeed, the rooster immediately jumped up out from the tray and started crowing vibrantly.
This legend has passed from generation to generation down through the centuries and the well known and typic Cock of Barcelos', is therefore a symbol of faith, justice, good luck and hope.
