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Arrabalero

Arrabalero is a Tango written by Osvaldo Fresedo and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1959. The Tango Arrabalero is written by Osvaldo Fresedo, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Arrabalero with the singer Blanca Mooney.
“Arrabalero,” meaning “from the outskirts” in English, captures the essence of a life intertwined with the vibrant pulse of the fringes. It echoes the tales of rugged streets and whispers of hidden dreams that dance through the alleys. The music reflects the grit and passion of those who find beauty and belonging in the margins of the city.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Blanca Mooney

Singer

Eduardo Calvo

Author

Osvaldo Fresedo

Composer

1959/1/28

Date

Blanca Mooney
Blanca Mooney
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Arrabalero recorded by other Orchestras

Arrabalero recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Arrabalero

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

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 girl
who lived her life in the suburb;
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 dream that’s my illusion,
for I’m Creole, I’m a dancer,
I love my man wholeheartedly.

In a shabby little room
of the Buenos Aires slum,
I met him in a dream,
I gave him my heart.
I knew he was a tough guy,
I loved him madly,
I suffered for his good fortune
with holy devotion.
Now, even if he beats me,
streetwise kid of the slum,
he knows that I love him
with all my illusions,
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 lad
from the slums of Puente Alsina;
he is all-in for this gal
because he knows her by heart.
But if one day he deceives 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” tells the tale of a passionate and spirited young woman from the suburbs who experiences life and love with fervent devotion. The lyrics describe her relationship with a “malevo,” a term often associated with a tough man or outlaw, illuminating her fearless and intense emotional investment in their connection. Her narrative embodies a blend of pride, love, and eventual sorrow, capturing the complexities of romantic engagements in the less affluent neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.



Symbolism of Arrabalero

The song uses vivid imagery and symbols of loyalty and belonging, particularly seen in references to suburbia, or “arrabal,” which reflects a specific socio-cultural context grounded in the outskirts of argentinian society. Terms like “la pebeta,” “percanta,” and “malevo” are not merely descriptive but carry emotional weight, illustrating characters full of life, intertwined with the cultural fabric of Tango. Phrases such as “sufri por su ventura con santa devoción” (suffered for his fortune with holy devotion) and “llorará sangre por su traición” (will cry blood for his betrayal) enhance the emotional intensity, suggesting a narrative steeped in dramatic love and intense loyalty.



Arrabalero in historic Context

In 1959, when “Arrabalero” was written, Argentina was experiencing significant political and cultural shifts. This period, set against a backdrop of evolving social dynamics, was crucial for the thematic exploration of Tango lyrics. The focus on the suburban life and the gritty realities faced by its inhabitants mirrored the societal undercurrents of the time, encapsulating themes of passion, struggle, and resilience inherent in the local culture. The mention of specific locations like “Puente Alsina,” a known neighborhood, provides a tangible connection to the geographical context, grounding the song’s narratives in identifiable real-world settings.



Eduardo Calvo

Eduardo Calvo was a renowned lyricist whose contributions to the Tango genre encapsulate deep emotional narratives and cultural reflections.