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A la luz del candil

A la luz del candil is a Tango written by Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1927. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded A la luz del candil as an instrumental Tango.
“A la luz del candil,” meaning “By the Light of the Candle,” is a title that evokes a warm, intimate ambiance. This piece of music, perhaps a Tango, invites listeners into a world where shadows dance gracefully, and secrets are whispered. It captures the quiet beauty and introspection found in moments of solitude, illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Julio Navarrine

Author

Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores

Composer

1927/5/29

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Aníbal Troilo – Orlando Goñi – (unknown date)
Aníbal Troilo – Desvelo (De flor en flor) – 1948/2/8
Aníbal Troilo – Nocturna – 1963/4/16
Aníbal Troilo – Ivette – (unknown date)
Carlos di Sarli – Cuando el amor muere – 1941/8/2
Carlos di Sarli – Lo que me hablaron de vos – 1957/4/25
Carlos di Sarli – Sin ti – 1954/9/28
Carlos di Sarli – Duerme mi amor – (unknown date)
Carlos di Sarli – La estancia – 1930/11/4
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Lucecitas de mi pueblo – 1959/6/30
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Me has robado el corazón – 1959/11/23
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – La huella – 1959/9/29
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Escalas en azul – 1959/6/17
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Fantasía en tango (Sobre motivos de Brahms) – 1958/9/24
Héctor Varela – Y no me dejes corazón – 1958/4/23
Héctor Varela – Susurro de bandoneón – 1975/1/1
Héctor Varela – Entre tu amor y mi amor – 1959/8/21
Héctor Varela – Se mira y no se toca – 1959/9/30
Héctor Varela – El as de los ases – 1952/5/7

Recommended

These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.

A la luz del candil recorded by other Orchestras

A la luz del candil recorded by other Orchestras

1927/5/29 – Mujer que yo sone – Osvaldo Fresedo
1927/5/27 – Fuiste mala – Roberto Firpo
1927/5/27 – Desaires – Roberto Firpo
1927/5/27 – Cuando volveras – Roberto Firpo
1927/5/26 – Besame en la boca – Osvaldo Fresedo
A la luz del candil – 1952/9/15 – Carlos di Sarli – Mario Pomar
A la luz del candil – 1956/9/27 – Carlos di Sarli – Jorge Duran
A la luz del candil – 1954/7/14 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Miguel Montero
A la luz del candil – 1927/5/29 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
A la luz del candil – 1943/3/3 – Rodolfo Biagi – Carlos Acuna
A la luz del candil – 1937/6/23 – Ricardo Tanturi – Carlos Ortega
A la luz del candil – 1962/1/1 – Jose Basso – Jorge Duran
A la luz del candil – 1948/3/23 – Florindo Sassone – Jorge Casal
A la luz del candil – 1927/6/11 – Roberto Firpo – Instrumental

Letra del Tango A la luz del candil

¿Me da su permiso, señor comisario?
Disculpe si vengo tan mal entrazao,
yo soy forastero y he caido al Rosario,
trayendo en los tientos un güen entripao.
Acaso usted piense que soy un matrero,
yo soy gaucho honrado a carta cabal,
no soy un borracho ni soy un cuatrero;
¡Señor comisario… yo soy criminal!…

¡Arrésteme, sargento,
y póngame cadenas!…
¡Si soy un delincuente,
que me perdone Dios!

Yo he sido un criollo güeno,
me llamo Alberto Arenas.
¡Señor… me traicionaban,
y los maté a los dos!
Mi china fue malvada,
mi amigo era un sotreta;
cuando me fui a otro pago
me basureó la infiel.
Las pruebas de la infamia
las traigo en la maleta:
¡las trenzas de mi china
y el corazón de él!

¡Párese, sargento, que no me retobo!…
Yo quiero que sepan la verdad de a mil…
La noche era oscura como boca’e lobo;
Testigo, solito, la luz de un candil.
Total, casi nada: un beso en la sombra…
Dos cuerpos cayeron, y una maldición;
y allí, comisario, si usted no se asombra,
yo encontré dos vainas para mi facón.

¡Arrésteme, sargento,
y póngame cadenas!…
¡Si soy un delincuente,
que me perdone Dios!

English lyrics of the Tango "A la luz del candil"

May I have your permission, Mr. Commissioner?
Excuse my poor appearance,
I’m a stranger and I’ve wound up in Rosario,
carrying in my gear a heavy burden.
Perhaps you think I am a fugitive,
but I’m an honest gaucho, through and through,
I’m neither a drunkard nor a cattle thief;
Mr. Commissioner… I am a criminal!…

Arrest me, sergeant,
and put me in chains!…
If I am a criminal,
may God forgive me!

I was once a good countryman,
named Alberto Arenas.
Sir… I was betrayed,
and I killed them both!
My girl was wicked,
my friend was a scoundrel;
when I left for another region
the faithless one slandered me.
The proofs of the disgrace
I carry in my suitcase:
my girl’s braids
and his heart!

Stop, sergeant, don’t restrain me!
I want them to know the whole truth…
The night was as dark as a wolf’s mouth;
Witnessed by only the light of a lamp.
In total, almost nothing: a kiss in the shade…
Two bodies fell, and a curse;
and there, Commissioner, if you’re not shocked,
I found two shells for my dagger.

Arrest me, sergeant,
and put me in chains!…
If I am a criminal,
may God forgive me!

A la luz del candil by Julio Navarrine

A la luz del candil is a Tango written by Julio Navarrine and composed by Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores.

Story behind the Tango A la luz del candil

The lyrics of “A la luz del candil” narrate a tragic tale of betrayal and consequential revenge in a rural Argentine setting. The protagonist, identifying himself as Alberto Arenas, confesses to a crime driven by a profound sense of betrayal by his partner and friend. Upon discovering their infidelity, under the minimal light of a kerosene lamp (“la luz del candil”), he commits a double murder, bringing evidence of his actions—a lock of his partner’s hair and his friend’s heart—to the authorities as proof of his deed and emotional anguish.

Symbolism of A la luz del candil

The dim light of the kerosene lamp (“candil”) symbolizes the murky circumstances under which the protagonist discovers the betrayal and pursues his violent retribution. This minimal light not only physicalizes the setting but also metaphorically illuminates the darkest aspects of human emotions—jealousy, betrayal, and revenge. Phrases like “la noche era oscura como boca’e lobo” contrast with the solitary light of the lamp, enhancing the sense of isolation and desperation that lead to the climax of the narrative. The carrying of physical tokens of his deed in his suitcase—his partner’s braids and the heart of his friend—symbolizes his shattered trust and the weight of his actions.

A la luz del candil in historic Context

Recorded in 1927, during a time of significant social and cultural shifts in Argentina, “A la luz del candil” reflects the traditional rural values conflicting with the changing norms of the time. During this era, Tango was evolving as an expression of deeper societal narratives, often exploring themes of love, betrayal, and societal honor, embodying the emotional and moral struggles faced by people during this transformative period in Argentine history.

Julio Navarrine

Julio Navarrine was an Argentine lyricist known for capturing the essence of the socio-cultural atmosphere of Argentina through his tango compositions.