ellocotango

Translation of tango lyrics is difficult. We are dealing with a high level of poetry and emotion put into words. Understanding the lyrics is well worth the effort to understand and enjoy the music as well as to dance to it. Read more about the craft of translation by Derrick Del Pilar here.

The list below was last updated 21/1/21, please let me know of major errors, updates and new lists and resources to add. The list is nder constant revision so repeats etc will be corrected in due time.

https://tangodecoder.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/de-puro-guapo-1935/
Amidst cortes and quebradas* I murmured sweetly in your ear All my flowery words of love. what my love told you The way you smiled Showed all your coquettishness And I, my manliness was vanquished… I, who always came out on top.	Entre cortes y quebradas, suave rezongué en tu oído todo mi verbo florido que te dijo mi querer. Vos mostraste en tu sonrisa toda tu coquetería, y yo, vencida mi hombría… Yo que siempre supe vencer.	*De Puro Guapo: This Argentine slang expression denotes a person who meets adversity with boldness and bravery. The song was recorded by Pedro Laurenz as well as Canaro, D'Arienzo, Troilo, and others. This is not to be confused with an earlier song (1927) by the same title with a similar theme, but much more violent and misogynistic. The earlier song was written by Rafael Iriarte with lyrics by Juan Carlos Fernández Díaz, and recorded by Gardel, Fresedo, Canaro (he recorded both songs) and others. *Cortes and quebradas: Two iconic movements of early tango. *rag in one hand: The classic gaucho dueling technique involved wrapping a poncho around one hand and forearm to act as a shield against dagger thrusts. I'm guessing that the urban duellist of later years, who was not a gaucho and no longer wore a poncho, simply wrapped a towel or rag (trapo) around his hand for the same reason.
To win your love I’m ready to risk my life On the hand that I’ve drawn…. It’s not the first hand On which I bet everything I had… And when it comes to winning or losing –I’m not one to wimp out– There’s always the dagger, a steady hand, Courage, bravura, To keep my self respect.	Pa' conseguir tu cariño quiero jugarme la vida al naipe que me ha gustado… No es la primera partida en que mi resto he jugado… Y si al final copo y gano, —taura soy en la postura— hay un facón, brava mano, coraje y bravura pa' hacerme valer.	This section is sung by Roberto Maida in the Canaro version (youtube link)
What I want, I take, And that by force and bravery. It’s enough that I have my rag in one hand* And a dagger in the other… If my past deeds aren’t enough, I’ll put my courage to the test. Nobody gets the better of me Where your love is at stake.	Lo que yo quiero lo tengo, y eso por taura y por guapo… Basta que en un brazo el trapo tenga y en otro el facón… Si no bastan mis hazañas pongo mi coraje a prueba. ¡Nadie ventaja me lleva cuando está en juego tu amor!

Search This Blog

Tuesday, 23 February 2021

de puro guapo

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Tango Lyrics in Spanish and English