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Al pie de la Santa Cruz

Al pie de la Santa Cruz is a Tango written by Enrique Delfino and recorded by Carlos Gardel in 1933. The Tango Al pie de la Santa Cruz is written by Enrique Delfino, Carlos Gardel has recorded Al pie de la Santa Cruz with the singer Guit. Guillermo Barbieri, Ángel Domingo Riverol, Horacio Pettorosi, Domingo Julio Vivas.
The Spanish title “Al pie de la Santa Cruz” translates to “At the Foot of the Holy Cross” in English. This evocative name conjures the image of seeking solace and reflection in a place of sanctuary and reverence. The piece, whether a tango or a poignant melody, invites listeners on a journey of introspection, where faith and emotion intertwine.

Tango

Style

Carlos Gardel

Orchestra

Guit. Guillermo Barbieri, Ángel Domingo Riverol, Horacio Pettorosi, Domingo Julio Vivas

Singer

Mario Battistella

Author

Enrique Delfino

Composer

1933/9/18

Date

Guit. Guillermo Barbieri, Ángel Domingo Riverol, Horacio Pettorosi, Domingo Julio Vivas
Guit. Guillermo Barbieri, Ángel Domingo Riverol, Horacio Pettorosi, Domingo Julio Vivas
Carlos Gardel
Carlos Gardel

Discover Other Orchestras

Edgardo Donato – Doble condena – 1956/8/24
Edgardo Donato – Meca del alma mia – 1932/1/1
Edgardo Donato – Por eso canto así – 1953/11/27
Edgardo Donato – Cantando bajito – 1938/8/29
Edgardo Donato – Mama Juana – 1930/1/1
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Rosicler – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Nunca tuvo novio – 1959/9/14
José Garcia – Aguantalo si podés (De corte antiguo) – 1944/4/7
José Garcia – No estamos solos – 1944/8/9
José Garcia – Tristeza marina – 1943/5/15
José Garcia – Lagarterana – 1942/3/17
José Garcia – Para negros solamente – 1943/2/20
Roberto Firpo – La cueva de oro – 1932/7/7
Roberto Firpo – Una partida – 1941/1/8
Roberto Firpo – Que gamba
che hermano – 1930/11/6
Roberto Firpo – Alma campera – 1929/9/26
Roberto Firpo – Adiós cotorrito – 1929/4/26

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.

Al pie de la Santa Cruz recorded by other Orchestras

Al pie de la Santa Cruz recorded by other Orchestras

1933/9/18 – Angustia (3) – Carlos Gardel
1933/9/18 – Angustia (3) (b) – Carlos Gardel
1933/9/18 – Jujena (b) – Carlos Gardel
1933/9/18 – Jujena – Carlos Gardel
1933/9/18 – Medallita de la suerte – Carlos Gardel
Al pie de la Santa Cruz – 1949/12/23 – Alfredo De Angelis – Carlos Dante
Al pie de la Santa Cruz – 1949/1/1 – Francisco Rotundo – Floreal Ruiz
Al pie de la Santa Cruz – 1933/10/13 – Orquesta Tipica Victor – Alberto Gomez
Al pie de la Santa Cruz – 1933/9/18 – Carlos Gardel – Guit. Guillermo Barbieri
Angel Domingo Riverol
Horacio Pettorosi
Domingo Julio Vivas

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Al pie de la Santa Cruz

This is the translation of the Tango “Al pie de la Santa Cruz” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Al pie de la Santa Cruz” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Al pie de la Santa Cruz

Declaran la huelga,

hay hambre en las casas,

es mucho el trabajo

y poco el jornal;

y en ese entrevero

de lucha sangrienta,

se venga de un hombre

la Ley Patronal.

Los viejos no saben

que lo condenaron,

pues miente, piadosa,

su pobre mujer.

Quizás un milagro

le lleve el indulto

y vuelva en su casa

la dicha de ayer.



Mientras tanto,

al pie de la santa Cruz,

una anciana desolada

llorando implora a Jesús:

‘Por tus llagas que son santas,

por mi pena y mi dolor,

ten piedad de nuestro hijo,

¡Protégelo, Señor!’

Y el anciano,

que no sabe ya rezar,

con acento tembloroso

también protesta a la par:

‘¿Qué mal te hicimos nosotros

pa’ darnos tanto dolor?’

Y, a su vez, dice la anciana:

‘¡Protégelo, Señor!…’



Los pies engrillados,

cruzó la planchada.

La esposa lo mira,

quisiera gritar…

Y el pibe inocente

que lleva en los brazos

le dice llorando:

‘¡Yo quiero a papá!’

Largaron amarras

y el último cabo

vibró, al desprenderse,

en todo su ser.

Se pierde de vista

la nave maldita

y cae desmayada

la pobre mujer…

English lyrics of the Tango "Al pie de la Santa Cruz"

They declare a strike,

there’s hunger in the homes,

the work is plentiful

but the wages are low;

and in that confusion

of bloody struggle,

a man takes revenge

through Employer’s Law.

The elderly don’t know

that he was condemned,

for his poor wife lies,

out of kindness.

Perhaps a miracle

will bring him pardon

and return to his home

yesterday’s happiness.

Meanwhile,

at the foot of the holy Cross,

a devastated old woman

cries, pleading to Jesus:

‘For your holy wounds,

for my pain and my grief,

have mercy on our son,

Protect him, Lord!’

And the old man,

who no longer knows how to pray,

with trembling voice

also protests in turn:

‘What wrong did we do to you

to deserve such pain?’

And the old woman says in turn:

‘Protect him, Lord!…’

His feet shackled,

he crossed the gangway.

His wife watches,

wishing to scream…

And the innocent child

she carries in her arms

says to her, crying:

‘I want daddy!’

They cast off the ropes

and the last cable

twitched as it detached,

reverberating through his being.

The cursed ship

disappears from sight

and the poor woman

falls faint…

Al pie de la Santa Cruz by Mario Battistella

Al pie de la Santa Cruz is a Tango written by Mario Battistella and composed by Enrique Delfino.



Story behind the Tango Al pie de la Santa Cruz

“Al pie de la Santa Cruz”, translating to “At the foot of the Holy Cross,” bewails the travails and sufferings of a family caught in the throes of socio-economic despair. The lyrics tell a poignant story of a man condemned unjustly by the labor laws, reflecting the society’s harsh realities during times of labor strikes and economic hardship. The family’s agony is amplified by the misunderstanding of the man’s elderly parents, misled by his wife, who, in her mercy, hides the truth about their son’s plight. The references to the “santa Cruz” and the implorations for divine intervention display a deep-rooted religious fervor, providing solace in their moment of profound desperation.



Symbolism of Al pie de la Santa Cruz

The song is heavy with religious symbolism, particularly the use of “Santa Cruz” (Holy Cross), which stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of ultimate sacrifice and suffering. The motif of chains (“Los pies engrillados”), and the description of the departing ship carrying the condemned, evoke images of bondage and irreversible loss. These symbols serve to heighten the emotional weight of the story, underscoring the family’s helplessness and sorrow. The repetition of “¡Protégelo, Señor!” (Protect him, Lord!) is a desperate plea for mercy and salvation, echoing through the chorus, imbuing the piece with a deep sense of urgency and heartfelt supplication.



Al pie de la Santa Cruz in historic Context

The Tango was recorded in 1933, a period marked by global economic distress following the Great Depression. In Argentina, this era was characterized by political instability and social strife, with widespread labor unrest. “Al pie de la Santa Cruz” mirrors the societal and economic tensions of the time, reflecting the struggles of the working class against oppressive labor laws and economic inequities. The story encapsulated in the tango is not just a personal family drama but a depiction of the broader social injustices that plagued Argentine society at the time.



Mario Battistella

Mario Battistella was an Argentine lyricist known for his poignant and socially aware tango lyrics.