Poesía de gotán: The Poetry of the Tango

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Tango brujo (1943)

Bewitching Tango

Lyrics and music by Francisco Canaro

Tango, you put a spell
on everyone who hears your sound.
Tango, you attract hearts
with your sweet songs
and your bandoneons.

From your humble beginnings
you have conquered the universe
using only the tools
of your music and your verses.
To clear yourself a path
you’ve had to use some witchcraft;
you achieved this triumph
on your own merits.

Tango of beautiful enchantments,
now your song lives
inside my heart.

Bewitching tango, beautiful tango,
noble tango, handsome tango
Tango, brother
through my long nights of sorrow,
companion of my tender heart.
Bewitching tango, so enthralling,
bewitching tango!

Fierce tango, contentious,
fierce tango!
Gaucho tango—
despite the odds against you
you’ve honorably defended 
your manly courage…

Orquesta Juan D’Arienzo, singer Hector Mauré (1943)

(Spanish original after the jump)

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