Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Alma

Alma is a Tango written by Federico Scorticati and recorded by Adolfo Carabelli in 1932. The Tango Alma is written by Federico Scorticati, Adolfo Carabelli has recorded Alma with the singer Alberto Gómez.
“Alma,” which means “Soul” in English, weaves a tapestry of emotion and yearning through its haunting melodies. The music gently caresses the listener’s heart, evoking memories of love and longing, like a tango that sways between passion and melancholy. It becomes a journey through the depths of human emotion, a dance for the spirit entwined in the notes.

Tango

Style

Adolfo Carabelli

Orchestra

Alberto Gómez

Singer

Juan Sarcione

Author

Federico Scorticati

Composer

1932/9/9

Date

Alberto Gómez
Alberto Gómez
Adolfo Carabelli
Adolfo Carabelli

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Alma

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

Letra del Tango Alma

Alma, que al cruzar la vida

ibas convencida

de hallar un amor;

alma, que soñaste ufana

ver en tu mañana

dicha y esplendor.

Alma, que el arrullo suave

de tu sueño de ave

se trocó en dolor;

alma, nunca desesperes

porque si tú mueres

matarás mi corazón.



Y en el crisol

de tu arrebol

quise ligarme a tu alma.

¡Porque te amaba, dulce cariño mío!

Fue un sueño vano… Fue amargo despertar…

Porque al nacer

ese querer

sólo perdí la calma,

y nunca más he de poder olvidar

todo el encanto de tu mirar.



Y sin piedad

a tu orfandad

vino a sumirme el sino,

y en el naufragio de todos mis anhelos

hoy vaga mi alma, transida de su penar…

Y en mi canción

va mi perdón

para quien fue tirana

y quiera Dios llegue la dicha sin par

tus blancas sienes a coronar…

English lyrics of the Tango "Alma"

Soul, that in crossing life

you were convinced

to find a love;

soul, that proudly dreamed

to see in your morning

joy and splendor.

Soul, in whose soft cooing

your birdlike dream

turned into pain;

soul, never despair

for if you die

you will kill my heart.

And in the crucible

of your blushing dawn

I wanted to bind myself to your soul.

Because I loved you, my sweet darling!

It was a vain dream… It was a bitter awakening…

Because at the birth

of that affection

I only lost my calm,

and never again will I be able to forget

all the charm of your gaze.

And without mercy

to your orphanhood

fate plunged me,

and in the shipwreck of all my desires

today my soul wanders, wracked with its sorrow…

And in my song

goes my forgiveness

for her who was a tyrant

and may God grant unparalleled joy

to crown your white temples…

Alma by Juan Sarcione

Alma is a Tango written by Juan Sarcione and composed by Federico Scorticati.



Story behind the Tango Alma

The lyrics of “Alma” unravel the tale of a soul’s journey through life, marked by hope and subsequent disillusionment. The protagonist speaks to ‘Alma’, personifying the soul, chronicling its transformation from hopeful innocence to the harsh reality of unfulfilled dreams. The soul, once vibrant and dreamful, expecting to find love and splendor, faces the inevitable pain of disillusionment. The poignant narrative captures the heartbreak of unmet desires and the mourning of lost dreams, as reflected in the dramatic closure of love and hope.



Symbolism of Alma

‘Alma’ in the tango serves as a potent symbol for emotional and spiritual depth, reflecting universal themes of hope, despair, and resilience. The transformation of the soul’s dreams into pain is a critical passage, symbolizing the harsh blows life can deal. Furthermore, the reference to “el crisol de tu arrebol” suggests a crucible or trial that the soul undergoes, indicating life’s tests and the enduring brightness after adversity. The plea not to give in to despair, “nunca desesperes, porque si tú mueres matarás mi corazón,” highlights the interconnectedness of human emotions and the impact of one’s spirit on another.



Alma in Historic Context

Created in 1932 in Argentina, “Alma” emerges during a period marked by global economic struggle and following a culturally rich era known as the Infamous Decade. This backdrop adds layers to the tango’s themes of disillusionment and loss as they could metaphorically touch on broader societal disappointments and losses. Argentine Tango, often a reflection of the sentiments of the lower and middle classes, could provide a voice to the collective emotional experiences of its time, resonating deeply with those grappling with similar adversities.



Juan Sarcione

Juan Sarcione, an Argentine lyricist, is known for conveying profound emotional narratives through his tangos, with “Alma” standing as a testament to his lyrical depth.