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.

Derrick Del Pilar has written 153 posts for Poesía de gotán: The Poetry of the Tango

Humillación (1941)

Posted by Derrick Del Pilar ⋅ 06.24.2009 ⋅ 4 Comments

Humiliation lyrics by Carlos Bahr I knew nothing of the love that kneels, babbling out pleas, tame from conceits. And this was how, with flaws that still humiliate me, that in my delirium, I came to love you. Today as I wake up faced with your half-hearted passion, in my conscience that felt too full of … Continue reading →

Amarras (1944)

Posted by Derrick Del Pilar ⋅ 06.03.2009 ⋅ 3 Comments

Moorings lyrics by Carmelo Santiago I wander like a suffering shadow beneath this gray veranda I reflect on myself and I am nothing… I am like my little coal skiff that stays shored up— it lives tied fast to the shore. And so I too, tied fast to my past am an anchored ship and I feel … Continue reading →

Tinta roja (1941)

Posted by Derrick Del Pilar ⋅ 06.03.2009 ⋅ 7 Comments

Red Ink lyrics by Cátulo Castillo music by Sebastián Piana A big stone wall, [1] red ink over yesterday’s grey, the emotion of your happy bricks over my little alleyway took a blot and painted the corner and that copper [2] who in the depths of night walked the borders of his beat like a … Continue reading →

Viejo portón (1938)

Posted by Derrick Del Pilar ⋅ 06.03.2009 ⋅ 2 Comments

Old Gateway lyrics by Máximo Orsi music by Hector Palacios Plea of the wind, voices from the plains, anguished prayers, sorrow’s laments. Wandering birds that one spring, a fiery sun scorched with love. The affection was strong as a carob tree— but a blow from time’s axe cleaved it so easily. And today in the long … Continue reading →

Oigo tu voz (1943)

Posted by Derrick Del Pilar ⋅ 05.21.2009 ⋅ 4 Comments

I Hear Your Voice lyrics by Francisco García Jiménez music by Mario Canaro Afraid of dying, longing to be alive— dreams or reality? Something wants to become a sunrise in my solitude… songs I have forgotten, places I have left, joys I have lost, today with the emotions inside my heart everything returns to me! I … Continue reading →

Poesía de gotán: The Poetry of the Tango

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