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Cosas olvidadas (1940)

Forgotten Things
lyrics by José María Contursi
music by Antonio Rodio

After such a long, long time,
just now I get to talk to you again…
Hearing you—what a feeling!
It seems just like yesterday!
You see…I’m much older now
and you’re the same as back in those days
when you used to love me so, so much…
but nothing’s left of that—it’s all gone!

They are forgotten things,
these old romances
and as we recall better times
our eyes start to get misty.
They are forgotten things,
that return, looking worn out,
and in the loneliness of our lives
they open wounds in our hearts…

There is a sad tone in your voice
of sorrow and melancholy…
and under its spell, my soul
must fight back tears!
It’s just that both of us were hurt
by dredging up these dead hours
and our hearts opened their doors
to the sadness of remembering.

Orquesta Carlos Di Sarli, singer Roberto Rufino (1940)

(Spanish original after the jump)

Cosas olvidadas

Después de mucho… mucho tiempo,
recién ahora vuelvo a hablarte…
¡qué sensación al escucharte,
parece que fuera ayer!
Ya ves… estoy mucho más viejo
y vos igual a aquellos días
que tanto… tanto me querías,
ya nada queda… ¡todo se fue!

Son cosas olvidadas,
esos viejos amores
y al evocar tiempos mejores
se van nublando nuestras miradas.
Son cosas olvidadas,
que vuelven desteñidas
y, en la soledad de nuestras vidas,
abren heridas al corazón.

Hay en tu voz un dejo triste
de penas y melancolía…
¡y, a su conjuro, el alma mía,
se esfuerza por no llorar!
Es que a los dos nos hizo daño
resucitar las horas muertas
y el corazón abrió sus puertas
a la tristeza de recordar.

About Derrick Del Pilar

Born and raised in Chicago, I came to the tango while studying at the Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires in 2006. In 2008 I earned my B.A. with majors in Creative Writing and Spanish & Portuguese from the University of Arizona, and in 2009 I earned an M.A. in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. My specialty is the history & literature of early 20th century Argentina.

Discussion

One thought on “Cosas olvidadas (1940)

  1. How lovely to see another of your excellent translations. Understanding the meaning of these classics make the dance experience many times richer.
    Thank you!

    Posted by Patricia | 02.09.2018, 8:39 PM

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