I’m Called “Juan-I-Love-You”[1] (milonga)
lyrics by Fernán Silva Valdés
You’re a dark lady forged
by pleasure and slander.
I’ve taken you for carriage rides
from Palermo down to the riverbank.[2]
You’re a dark lady, tempered
by men’s fiery passion.
You’re like a dagger blow
struck right through my heart.
I’m called “Juan-I-love-you”
and you’re María the Tease.
your teasing just kills me,
and you never throw out a single “yes”
for this kid, “Juan-I-love-you.”
[1]As the image of the original sheet music shows, the words “Juan te quiero” are in quotation marks on the cover, indicating that “Juan I love you” is the boy’s nickname. This suggests that he is prone to lavishing declarations of undying love on every girl he meets.
[2]The Spanish term here is “la olada,” literally, “where the waves hit.”
Orquesta Francisco Canaro, singer Ernesto Famá
(Spanish original after the jump)
Yo me llamo “Juan te quiero”
Vos sos la china fogueada
en el placer y en el ultraje.
Te he paseado en un carruaje
de Palermo hasta la olada.
y sos la china templada
en el fuego del varón.
Sos como una puñalada
pegada en el corazón.
Yo me llamo “Juan te quiero”
y vos María changui,
Por ese changui me muero,
y a este mozo Juan te quiero
nunca le largás el “sí.”
Poesía de gotán: The Poetry of the Tango 
I had only heard a completely different song with a similar title: “A mi me llaman Juan tango”. To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Canaro milongas of this period (early to mid 30s), but Canaro milongas of late 30s… now we’re talking. Nevertheless, interesting lyrics… very tricky to translate, yet superb job, as usual!
Posted by Jaimito | 12.30.2010, 3:28 PMDear DDP, your selections are “the best”and the site is perfect! Now having said that, I wonder if you could add more info such as name of CD and where to purchase?
Wishful thinking……..Sabina
Posted by sabina Hascup | 02.15.2011, 6:36 PMBeautiful song, makes me want to change my name…!
Posted by Dieudonne Dang | 07.13.2011, 8:31 PM🙂
Posted by Kaiyu | 09.12.2011, 9:10 AM