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Arrabalero

Arrabalero is a Tango written by Osvaldo Fresedo and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1927. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Arrabalero as an instrumental Tango.
“Arrabalero,” translated into English as “from the outskirts” or “of the suburbs,” evokes the vibrant and raw spirit of life on the edges of a bustling city. It speaks of the gritty romance and unrefined charm found in these neighborhoods—where stories of love and hardship intertwine. This music captures the essence of longing and resilience, echoing the heartbeat of those untamed streets.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Eduardo Calvo

Author

Osvaldo Fresedo

Composer

1927/3/23

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Arrabalero recorded by other Orchestras

Arrabalero recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Arrabalero

Soy la pebeta más rechiflada
que en el suburbio pasó la vida;
soy la percanta que fue querida
de aquel malevo que la amuró.
Soy el orgullo del barrio entero,
tengo una efe que es mi ilusión,
pues soy criolla, soy milonguera,
quiero a mi hombre de corazón.

En un bulín mistongo
del arrabal porteño,
lo conocí en un sueño,
le di mi corazón.
Supe que era malevo,
lo quise con locura,
sufrí por su ventura
con santa devoción.
Ahora, aunque me faje,
purrete arrabalero,
ya sabe que lo quiero
con toda mi ilusión,
y que soy toda suya,
que suyo es mi cariño,
que nuestro será el niño
obra del metejón.

Por ser derecha tengo un machito
arrabalero de Puente Alsina;
se juega entero por esta mina
porque la sabe de corazón.
Pero si un día llega a engañarme
como hacen otros con sus mujeres,
esta percanta que ríe y canta
llorará sangre por su traición.

English lyrics of the Tango "Arrabalero"

I’m the craziest lass
who lived her life in the suburbs;
I’m the darling who was loved
by that tough guy who fell for her.
I’m the pride of the whole neighborhood,
I have a letter that’s my dream,
for I’m Creole, I’m a tango dancer,
I love my man with all my heart.

In a humble room
in the Buenos Aires suburb,
I met him in a dream,
I gave him my heart.
I knew he was a tough guy,
I loved him madly,
suffered for his fortune
with holy devotion.
Now, even though he beats me,
streetwise kid,
he knows I love him
with all my dreams,
and that I’m all his,
his is my affection,
ours will be the child
born of our infatuation.

For being upright I have a guy
from the streets of Puente Alsina;
he gives his all for this girl
because he knows her by heart.
But if one day he cheats on me
like others do with their women,
this girl who laughs and sings
will cry blood for his betrayal.

Arrabalero by Eduardo Calvo

Arrabalero is a Tango written by Eduardo Calvo and composed by Osvaldo Fresedo.



Story behind the Tango Arrabalero

“Arrabalero” delves into the life and emotions of a suburban woman, or “pebeta,” who revels in the passion and complexity of her relationships within the rough neighborhood, or “arrabal.” The lyrics unfold her story as a cherished lover of a local tough, known as a “malevo,” expressing her pride and self-identity intertwined with her love. She navigates love’s pains and triumphs in a setting that blends dreams with harsh realities, ultimately embracing her role as fiercely loyal, even in the face of potential betrayal.



Symbolism of Arrabalero

The lyric “Soy la pebeta más rechiflada que en el suburbio pasó la vida” employs symbolism of self-acceptance and pride, highlighting her distinctive identity in the community. The recurring term “arrabalero” symbolizes not just locality but also a particular lifestyle steeped in authenticity and raw emotion. Furthermore, terms like “bulín mistongo,” a modest, hidden place, symbolize the personal and discreet nature of their love, underscoring intimacy against the backdrop of a bustling, unforgiving environment.



Arrabalero in historic Context

Recorded in 1927, “Arrabalero” emerges during a blossoming era of tango, where the dance and music served as expressions of the urban lower-class life in Argentina. The song captures the zeitgeist of Buenos Aires’s arrabales (suburbs) where the tango culture was vibrantly alive, detailing the essence of suburban love, loyalty, and the gritty realism of its people’s lives. The reference to “Puente Alsina” locates the narrative precisely within a notorious locale known for its vibrant, often rowdy tango scene, framing the story within the authentic environments that gave birth to the tango itself.



Eduardo Calvo

Eduardo Calvo, the lyricist of “Arrabalero,” is renowned for capturing the intricate emotions and lives of the porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) through his tango compositions.