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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 Ricardo Tanturi in 1937. The Tango A la luz del candil is written by Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores, Ricardo Tanturi has recorded A la luz del candil with the singer Carlos Ortega.
The piece is titled “A la luz del candil,” which translates to “By the Light of the Candle” in English. This evocative name suggests an intimate setting, where soft candlelight flickers and shadows dance. It conjures images of whispered secrets, gentle embraces, and moments of reflection, capturing the essence of nostalgia and romance wrapped in the warmth of dimly lit evenings.

Tango

Style

Ricardo Tanturi

Orchestra

Carlos Ortega

Singer

Julio Navarrine

Author

Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores

Composer

1937/6/23

Date

Carlos Ortega
Carlos Ortega
Ricardo Tanturi
Ricardo Tanturi

Discover Other Orchestras

José Garcia – Hula la misteriosa – 1943/6/22
José Garcia – Adiós adiós corazón – 1942/11/4
José Garcia – Nadie ha de saber – 1945/4/16
José Garcia – Felicita – 1942/11/4
José Garcia – El distinguido ciudadano – 1942/4/17
Astor Piazzolla – Garúa – 1982/5/30
Astor Piazzolla – Mi tentación – 1955/1/1
Astor Piazzolla – Lo que vendrá – 1961/1/1
Astor Piazzolla – El recodo – 1946/9/2
Astor Piazzolla – Tiernamente – 1947/4/15
Orquesta Típica Victor – Carolina – 1931/12/29
Orquesta Típica Victor – Cholita – 1926/1/19
Orquesta Típica Victor – El manicero – 1931/8/26
Orquesta Típica Victor – Mi casita malagueña – 1938/6/10
Orquesta Típica Victor – Sacate el berretin – 1929/5/18
Juan MAGLIO – Milonguero viejo – 1928/4/2

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

1937/6/23 – Tierrita – Ricardo Tanturi
1937/7/2 – La Rosarina – Juan D-Arienzo
1937/7/2 – Pasion – Juan D-Arienzo
1937/7/4 – La cumparsita – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo
1937/7/4 – Matasano – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo
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

Lyrics Translation of the Tango A la luz del candil

This is the translation of the Tango “A la luz del candil” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “A la luz del candil” have been done with AI.

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 me if I’ve come looking so rough,
I’m a stranger here, ended up in Rosario,
carrying in my gear a true inner turmoil.
Perhaps you think I’m a fugitive,
I am an honest cowboy, through and through,
Not a drunk, nor a rustler;
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 a good criollo,
my name is Alberto Arenas.
Sir… I was betrayed,
and I killed them both!
My girl was wicked,
my friend, a lowlife;
when I went to another town
that faithless woman scorned me.
The evidence of disgrace
I carry in my suitcase:
the braids of my girl,
and his heart!

Stop, sergeant, I’m not resisting!…
I want everyone to know the truth loud and clear…
It was a night dark as the mouth of a wolf;
My only witness, the light of a lantern.
In short, almost nothing: a kiss in the shadows…
Two bodies fell, and a curse;
and there, Commissioner, if you’re not shocked,
I found two casings for my knife.

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” unfold as a remorseful confession of a man named Alberto Arenas to a police officer. The protagonist arrives at a police station, keen to admit to a crime he has committed – the murder of his unfaithful lover and her secret lover. The emotional depth of the tango is palpable as it portrays the anguish and betrayal felt by Alberto, leading to a tragic resolution under the dim light of an oil lamp (“candil”). The central narrative revolves around love, betrayal, and revenge, aspects often explored in the tango genre, reflecting the dramatic and passionate essence of its cultural backdrop.



Symbolism of A la luz del candil

The title “A la luz del candil”, which translates to “In the light of the oil lamp”, symbolizes clarity and revelation in the midst of darkness. The oil lamp serves as the sole witness to the tragic act, emphasizing the stark and somber moments when secrets are unearthed, and fates are sealed. Moreover, symbols like “las trenzas de mi china y el corazón de él” (the braids of my girl and his heart) are tangible proofs of infidelity and the ensuing act of vengeance, which intensify the song’s tragic narrative.



A la luz del candil in historic Context

Recorded in 1937, a period rich in the history of Tango, “A la luz del candil” emerges at a time when Argentina was undergoing significant social and political changes. The tango served not only as a form of entertainment but also as a social commentary reflecting the struggles, passions, and transgressions of the lower and middle classes. Songs like these portrayed deep emotional and moral conflicts, mirroring the turbulent times of the era.



Julio Navarrine

Julio Navarrine was a notable lyricist in the Argentine tango scene, recognized for his contributions to the genre with deeply emotive and narrative-rich lyrics.