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Alma en pena

Alma en pena is a Tango written by Anselmo Aieta and recorded by Roberto Firpo in 1928. The Tango Alma en pena is written by Anselmo Aieta, Roberto Firpo has recorded Alma en pena with the singer Teófilo Ibáñez.
“Alma en pena,” translating to “Soul in Sorrow,” evokes a haunting depth of emotion through its poignant melody. This piece, whether instrumental or sung, captures the essence of a heart burdened by longing and unfulfilled desires. Each note weaves a delicate tapestry of melancholy, as if the music itself is mourning lost dreams and loves left behind.

Tango

Style

Roberto Firpo

Orchestra

Teófilo Ibáñez

Singer

Francisco García Jiménez

Author

Anselmo Aieta

Composer

1928/10/25

Date

Teófilo Ibáñez
Teófilo Ibáñez
Roberto Firpo
Roberto Firpo

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Alma en pena recorded by other Orchestras

Alma en pena recorded by other Orchestras

1928/10/25 – Chamuyando un recuerdo – Roberto Firpo
1928/10/24 – Por que me dejaste – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1928/10/24 – Que ranada – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1928/10/27 – Barra querida – Carlos Gardel
1928/10/27 – La mentirosa – Carlos Gardel
Alma en pena – 1928/10/9 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Ernesto Fama
Alma en pena – 1946/7/5 – Ricardo Tanturi – Roberto Videla
Alma en pena – 1946/5/22 – Enrique Rodriguez – Fernando Reyes
Alma en pena – 1928/10/25 – Roberto Firpo – Teofilo Ibanez

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Alma en pena

This is the translation of the Tango “Alma en pena” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Alma en pena” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Alma en pena

Aún el tiempo no logró

llevar su recuerdo,

borrar las ternuras

que guardan escritas

sus cartas marchitas

que tantas lecturas

con llanto desteñí…

¡Ella sí que me olvidó!…

Y hoy frente a su puerta

la oigo contenta,

percibo sus risas

y escucho que a otro

le dice las mismas

mentiras que a mí…



Alma… que en pena vas errando,

acércate a su puerta

suplícale llorando:

Oye… perdona si te pido

mendrugos del olvido

que alegre te hace ser…

¡Tú me enseñaste a querer y he sabido!

Y haberlo aprendido

de amores me mata…

Y yo que voy aprendiendo hasta a odiarte,

tan sólo a olvidarte

no puedo aprender.



Esa voz que vuelvo a oír,

un día fue mía,

y hoy de ella es apenas

el eco el que alumbra

mi pobre alma en pena,

que cae moribunda

al pie de su balcón…

Esa voz que maldecí,

hoy oigo que a otro

promete la gloria,

y cierro los ojos,

y es una limosna

de amor, que recojo

con mi corazón.

English lyrics of the Tango "Alma en pena"

Time has still not managed

to carry away her memory,

erase the tendernesses

that are written in

her faded letters

so often read

with tears that bled…

She indeed forgot me!…

And now, in front of her door

I hear her happy,

sense her laughter,

and listen as she tells another

the same lies

she once told me…



Soul… wandering in sorrow,

approach her door

and beg in tears:

Listen… forgive me if I ask

for crumbs of forgetfulness

that make you joyous…
You taught me to love and I learned well!
And having learned it
is killing me with love…
And I, even learning to hate you,
cannot learn
just to forget you.

That voice I hear again,

once mine,

and now from her it’s barely

the light that illuminates

my poor soul in torment,

falling dying

at the foot of her balcony…
That voice I cursed,

today I hear promising another

glory,

and I close my eyes,

and it’s an alms

of love, that I gather

with my heart.

Alma en pena by Francisco García Jiménez

Alma en pena is a Tango written by Francisco García Jiménez and composed by Anselmo Aieta.



Story behind the Tango Alma en pena

“Alma en pena” tells a poignant story of unrequited love and lingering attachment. The lyrics delve into the pain of a lover who is haunted by memories of a past relationship. Despite time passing, the speaker’s emotional connection remains, encapsulated through cherished, yet fading letters. These letters stand as a testament to a love that was not forgotten by the protagonist, contrasting sharply with the beloved who has moved on and now shares laughter and promises with another.



Symbolism of Alma en pena

The term “Alma en pena,” directly translating to “soul in pain” in English, symbolizes a wandering soul tormented by memories and unfulfilled desires. Throughout the tango, powerful symbols such as “sus cartas marchitas” (his faded letters) and the image of the protagonist weeping over these letters signify the weight of past love and nostalgia. The juxtaposition of past tenderness against the present joy of the beloved with another adds a layer of tragic irony. The lyrics “tan sólo a olvidarte no puedo aprender” (I just cannot learn to forget you) emphasize the helplessness and enduring nature of the protagonist’s affection.



Alma en pena in historic Context

Set in Argentina in the late 1920s, a period marked by rapid urbanization and social changes, “Alma en pena” reflects the emotional displacements felt by many during this era. Buenos Aires, transforming into a bustling metropolis, became a backdrop for tales of love, loss, and longing as depicted in the tango culture. Given this context, the tango not only represents personal grief but also symbolizes the broader emotional landscape of Argentine society grappling with modernization and changing social norms.



Francisco García Jiménez

Francisco García Jiménez was an influential Argentine lyricist known for his poignant and evocative tango lyrics. His works often delve into themes of love, loss, and the human condition, reflecting the cultural nuances of early 20th-century Buenos Aires.