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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 Rodolfo Biagi in 1943. The Tango A la luz del candil is written by Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores, Rodolfo Biagi has recorded A la luz del candil with the singer Carlos Acuña.
The piece “A la luz del candil,” or “By the Light of the Candle,” evokes a scene bathed in the soft glow of flickering warmth. It captures moments where secrets are whispered and dreams gently unfold, hidden away from the harshness of daylight. In its melodies, shadows dance and nostalgia weaves stories of love and longing in the intimate hush of night.

Tango

Style

Rodolfo Biagi

Orchestra

Carlos Acuña

Singer

Julio Navarrine

Author

Carlos Vicente Geroni Flores

Composer

1943/3/3

Date

Carlos Acuña
Carlos Acuña
Rodolfo Biagi
Rodolfo Biagi

Discover Other Orchestras

Ricardo Tanturi – Que no saque el tres – 1959/12/9
Ricardo Tanturi – Campeonato – 1948/6/25
Ricardo Tanturi – Domingo a la noche – 1944/8/28
Ricardo Tanturi – El buey solo – 1941/1/8
Ricardo Tanturi – Me robó su cariño – 1958/9/2
Aníbal Troilo – Corralera – (unknown date)
Aníbal Troilo – Mi luna – 1961/8/23
Aníbal Troilo – Fraternal – (unknown date)
Aníbal Troilo – Adiós Nonino – 1966/12/6
Aníbal Troilo – Flor de lino – 1947/4/29
Horacio Salgán – Bandoneón arrabalero – 1969/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Como abrazado a un rencor – 1950/6/21
Horacio Salgán – Acquaforte – 1962/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Orgullo criollo – 211/12/1
Horacio Salgán – Un momento – 1953/5/20
Osmar Maderna – Sólo cerrazón – 1946/1/1
Osmar Maderna – La cautiva – 1950/11/8
Osmar Maderna – Pastora – 1948/4/5
Osmar Maderna – Aleli – 1947/4/25
Osmar Maderna – Chiqué – 1946/6/19

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

1943/3/3 – Arlette – Rodolfo Biagi
1943/3/3 – Por algo sera – Rodolfo Biagi
1943/3/3 – Yo tengo un punal – Rodolfo Biagi
1943/3/2 – A otra cosa che pebeta – Ricardo Tanturi
1943/3/2 – Con los amigos (A mi madre) – Ricardo Tanturi
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"

Do I have your permission, Mr. Officer?
Excuse my rough state as I present,
I’m a foreigner, arrived here in Rosario,
Carrying in my knots, a stomach filled with complaint.
You might think I’m a lawless outlaw,
But I’m an honest gaucho, through and through,
I’m not a drunk, nor a cattle thief;
Mr. Officer… I am a criminal!…

Arrest me, sergeant,
And put me in chains!…
If I am a delinquent,
May God forgive me!

I was a good countryman,
My name is Alberto Arenas.
Sir… I was betrayed,
And I killed them both!
My woman was wicked,
My friend was a traitor;
When I left for another town
The unfaithful scorned me.
The evidence of infamy
I carry in my suitcase:
The braids of my woman
And his heart!

Stop, sergeant, I won’t resist!…
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, hardly anything: a kiss in the shadows…
Two bodies fell, and a curse was cast;
And there, Mr. Officer, if it doesn’t shock you,
I found two shells for my knife.

Arrest me, sergeant,
And put me in chains!…
If I am a delinquent,
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” depict a dramatic confrontation and ensuing confession of a crime motivated by betrayal. The protagonist, Alberto Arenas, addresses a police commissioner, seeking permission to confess his deeds. He narrates how he, an honest and respectable man, was driven to murder after discovering the infidelity of his partner with his friend. His heartbreak and vengeance unfold in the dim light of an oil lamp (candil), symbolizing the darkness overshadowing his life. It’s a classic tale of love, betrayal, and justice, set against the backdrop of rural Argentina.



Symbolism of A la luz del candil

The dim candil (oil lamp) plays a pivotal symbolic role in the tango. It serves as a metaphor for the obscured, haunting truths that only come to light in its feeble glow. The phrase “La noche era oscura como boca’e lobo” enhances the setting’s eerie, foreboding atmosphere, amplifying the emotional turmoil experienced by Alberto. His confession is lit both by the candil and his ignited passion for justice and personal retribution. The juxtaposition of “las trenzas de mi china y el corazón de él” symbolizes the intertwined fates of the betrayers, severed by the protagonist’s vengeful hand.



A la luz del candil in historic Context

“A la luz del candil” was written in 1943, a period of significant social and political change in Argentina. The tango reflects the era’s cultural focus on themes of honor, masculinity, and individual justice, prevalent in the gaucho (Argentinian cowboy) tradition. This period also saw the rise of strong nationalistic sentiments and a return to traditional values in Argentine society, which resonates in the song’s narrative focusing on personal integrity and retribution for betrayal.



Julio Navarrine

Julio Navarrine was a prominent figure in the tango scene, known for his poignant storytelling through music, reflecting deep emotional and cultural currents of his time.