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Abuelito

Abuelito is a Tango written by Alberto Laporte and recorded by Orquesta Típica Victor in 1926. Orquesta Típica Victor has recorded Abuelito as an instrumental Tango.
“Abuelito,” meaning “Grandpa” in English, is a tender musical homage that captures the essence of familial roots. The melody weaves through memories like a gentle dance, evoking the warmth and wisdom of a beloved elder. It resonates with stories untold yet deeply felt, echoing the timeless bond between generations in its soulful rhythm.

Tango

Style

Orquesta Típica Victor

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Eduardo Trongé

Author

Alberto Laporte

Composer

1926/8/25

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Orquesta Típica Victor
Orquesta Típica Victor

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Abuelito recorded by other Orchestras

Abuelito recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Abuelito

No tome más, abuelo, y deje el vino;

no tome más, tatita, es una pena,

que son las diez, abuelito, y ni un vecino

llegó a esta mesa alegrando nuestra cena.

No tome más y cuénteme una historia

del tiempo aquel en que su amor vivía,

que yo, otra vez, sentadito en sus rodillas,

lo escucharé bien quietito y sin hablar.



El pobre abuelo, a mi ruego,

conteniendo sus pesares,

me hizo sentar junto al fuego

y de este modo me habló:

Cierra la puerta, la luz apaga,

que con las sombras viene mi amor.

Esa que un día, hace ya tiempo,

vistió de luto mi corazón…



Si vieras, vos, qué criolla de ojos negros,

de blanca tez, risueña y juguetona,

de lindo andar, retrechera y comadrona,

clavel de amor florecido en mis recuerdos.

Si vieras vos con qué ansias la quería,

con cuánto afán hicimos nuestro nido…

Mas ella, cruel, destrozando mi alma, un día,

con mi mejor compañero me engañó.



Hoy que me vencen los años,

ya la muerte está en acecho,

viejo, achacoso y deshecho,

siento que la quiero más…

Ya sabe, nieto, la cruel herida

que en esta vida quise ocultar…

Así, una noche, triste y de duelo

mi pobre abuelo me hizo llorar…

English lyrics of the Tango "Abuelito"

Stop drinking, grandfather, please leave the wine;

no more, dear grandpa, it’s a shame,

for it’s ten o’clock, grandad, and not a neighbor

has come to brighten our dinner table.

Drink no more and tell me a tale

of times past when your love was alive,

for I, once again, sitting on your knees,

will listen quietly, without a word.

The poor grandfather, to my plea,

holding back his sorrows,

had me sit by the fire

and thus he spoke to me:

Close the door, turn off the light,

for with the shadows comes my love.

The one who, long ago,

clothed my heart in mourning…

If only you could see her, that creole with dark eyes,

with fair skin, smiling and playful,

gracefully walking, daring and gossipy,

a carnation of love bloomed in my memories.

If you knew how eagerly I loved her,

with how much eagerness we made our nest…
But she, cruelly, shattering my soul one day,
deceived me with my best friend.

Now as the years overcome me,

with death lurking,

old, infirm, and broken,

I find I love her even more…
Now you know, grandchild, the cruel wound
that in this life I tried to hide…
Thus, one night, sad and mournful
my poor grandfather made me cry…

Abuelito by Eduardo Trongé

Abuelito is a Tango written by Eduardo Trongé and composed by Alberto Laporte.



Story behind the Tango Abuelito

The song “Abuelito” portrays a deep and emotive dialogue between a grandchild and his grandfather. The lyrics unveil a poignant narrative where the grandchild pleads with his grandfather to stop drinking and instead share tales of a past love. The grandfather complies, reminiscing about a former lover who betrayed him, which still torments him as he nears the end of his life. This narrative captures the essence of lost love and the pain of betrayal, depicted through the intimate family setting of a shared meal that lacks broader community warmth.



Symbolism of Abuelito

Tango, especially in a song like “Abuelito,” uses its evocative language and symbolism to deepen the emotional intensity of its narrative. Phrases like “Cierra la puerta, la luz apaga, que con las sombras viene mi amor” (Close the door, turn off the light, as my love comes with the shadows) metaphorically suggest that the grandfather can only reunite with his love in darkness and in memory, underlining the themes of loss and longing. The symbols of evening, shadows, and light create a setting that brings forth emotional revelations, paralleling the twilight of the grandfather’s life. Furthermore, the reference to beloved eyes and cruel wounds speaks to the intimate betrayals and profound impacts of personal relationships.



Abuelito in historic Context

Created in Argentina in 1926, a period marked by cultural richness and complex social dynamics, “Abuelito” reflects typical characteristics of the Tango genre, which often delves into themes of melancholy, nostalgia, and personal misfortune. This era was also marked by the emergence of the Tango as a global phenomenon, symbolizing not just a dance but also an expression of deeper societal narratives. The grandfather’s story encapsulates a personal historical account, touching upon themes of aging, memory, and the importance of familial bonds in providing comfort against life’s vicissitudes. This Tango serves not only as entertainment but also as a cultural vessel, carrying stories of personal pain that resonate universally.



Eduardo Trongé

Eduardo Trongé was known for his impactful contributions to the Tango genre, touching upon deep and relatable themes through his lyrics.