¡Ríe, payaso! (1929)

Laugh, Clown*!
lyrics by Emilio Falero
music by Virgilio Carmona

The clown with all his faces
and his raucous laughter
invites us, compatriots,
to take pleasure in Carnival;
you don’t see that beneath the laughter
is anguish in fancy dress,
that his starched white face
hides a truth from us.

Come here, clown, I’ll treat you,
companion of my sorrows,
come and sit at my table
if you want to get liquored up;
you’ve got your troubles,
and I’ve got my own as well,
and champagne helps us forget.

Laugh, your laughter infects me
with the divine magic
of your peerless grace. 
Let’s drink a bunch, let’s drink ‘cause I want
to spend all this money
on my very own Carnival. 

You’re crying, ol’ buddy clown,
don’t cry, there are witnesses
who all ignore your grief;
dry your tears and laugh with abandon—
Hey there, mister waiter,
bring us more champagne!

I, too, like the clown
with his sad cackling,
have torment in my soul
and I too want to forget;
to get drunk on pleasures
in frenetic orgies
with rented women
full of music and champagne.

Just a year ago, exactly,
it was nearly dawn
when I got back to my place
desperate to rest;
when I got there the light was on
in my lover’s room…
it’s best not to recall.

Carlos Gardel with José María Aguilar & Guillermo Barbieri on Guitars (1929)

Orquesta Juan D’Arienzo, singer Carlos Casares (1940)

Orquesta Florindo Sassone, singer Roberto Chanel (1949)

Ángel Vargas and His Orquesta, Directed by Armando Lacava (1952)

*Clowns are traditional costumes at Carnival celebrations throughout Latin America, Carnevale di Venezia, and Mardi Gras. Carnival clowns can be dressed like what an English speaker might call a jester or harlequin (though technically these are distinct characters), but tramp-style whiteface clowns similar to those found in circuses are not uncommon. The sad clown described in this song might be similar to Pierrot, an archetype that grew out of stock characters in 17th century commedia dell’arte, who has been referenced in other tango lyrics.

Each singers changes a few of the words here and there, as often happens. I’ve provided some of the alternate words in the Spanish original below, and translated for flow and intelligibility in English.

¡Ríe, payaso! (1929)
letra de Emilio Falero
música de Virgilio Carmona

El payaso con sus muecas
y su risa exagerada,
nos invita, camaradas,
a gozar del carnaval;
no notás en esa risa
una pena (mueca) disfrazada,
que su cara almidonada,
nos oculta una verdad.

Ven payaso, yo te invito (buen amigo),
compañero de tristezas,
ven y siéntate (vení, acercate) a mi mesa
si te quieres embriagar;
que si tu tienes tus penas
yo también tengo las mías…
y el champagne hace olvidar.

Ríe, tu risa me contagia
con la divina magia
de tu gracia sin par.
Bebamos mucho (juntos), bebamos porque quiero,
con todo este dinero
hacer mi carnaval.

Lloras, payaso, buen amigo,
no llores que hay testigos
que ignoran tu pesar;
seca tu llanto y ríe con alborozo (alboroto)—
a ver, pronto, ¡che mozo,
tráiganos (sírvanos) más champagne!

Yo, también, como el payaso
de la triste carcajada,
tengo el alma destrozada
y también quiero olvidar;
embriagarme de placeres
en orgías desenfrenadas
con mujeres alquiladas
entre música y champagne.

Hace uno año, justamente,
era muy de madrugada,
regresaba a mi morada
con deseos de descansar;
al llegar vi luz prendida
en el cuarto de mi amada…
es mejor no recordar.