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Barajando

Barajando is a Tango written by Nicolás Vaccaro and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1948. The Tango Barajando is written by Nicolás Vaccaro, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded Barajando with the singer Alberto Echagüe.
“Barajando,” meaning “Shuffling” in English, evokes a dance where fate and chance entwine in an intricate embrace. Each note shuffles life’s cards, creating a narrative of uncertainty and grace. As the melody flows, uncertainty becomes a partner, guiding us through the unpredictable rhythm of possibilities and choices.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Alberto Echagüe

Singer

Eduardo Escaris Méndez

Author

Nicolás Vaccaro

Composer

1948/6/15

Date

Alberto Echagüe
Alberto Echagüe
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

Discover Other Orchestras

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Carlos Gardel – La reina del tango – 1928/11/4
Carlos Gardel – Incurable – 1930/8/21
Carlos Gardel – El poncho del amor – 1927/7/8
Carlos Gardel – La cordobesa – 1919/1/1
Pedro Laurenz – Nunca es tarde (Todavía estás a tiempo) – 1953/9/22
Pedro Laurenz – Amurado – 1968/12/1
Pedro Laurenz – Mala junta – 1968/12/1
Pedro Laurenz – Cuando me entrés a fallar – 1952/6/25
Pedro Laurenz – Yo soy de San Telmo – 1943/11/16
José Basso – Un poco más – 1963/1/1
José Basso – Los mareados – 1952/12/11
José Basso – Melodía de arrabal – 1953/6/12
José Basso – Yo también – 1962/1/1
José Basso – A la luz del candil – 1962/1/1
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Lucecitas de mi pueblo – 1959/6/30
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Cadenas – 1959/11/23
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Aquellas cartas – 1959/7/8
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Pa’ la guardia – 1959/6/30
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Brindis para la navidad – 1960/10/14

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.

1948/6/15 – Que apuro tengo – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/6/15 – Don Juan – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/6/11 – Cristal y luna – Alfredo De Angelis
1948/6/11 – Seleccion de tangos (de Discepolo) – Alfredo De Angelis
1948/6/9 – La guinada – Miguel Calo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Barajando

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

Letra del Tango Barajando

Con las cartas de la vida por mitad bien marquilladas,
como guillan los malandros carpeteros de cartel,
mi experiencia timbalera y las treinta bien fajadas,
me largué por esos barrios a encarnar el espinel.
Ayudado por mi cara de galaico almacenero
trabajándose a la serva de una familia de bien,
y mi anillo de hojalata con espejo vichadero,
me he fritado muchos vivos, como ranas al sartén.

Pero, en cambio, una percanta que me tuvo rechiflado
y por quien hasta de espaldas con el lomo caminé,
me enceró con un jueguito tan al lustre preparado
que hasta el pelo de las manos de cabrero me arranqué.
Mientras yo tiraba siempre con la mula bien cinchada,
ella, en juego con un coso mayorengo y gran bacán,
se tomaba el Comte Rosso, propiamente acomodada,
y en la lona de los giles me tendió en el cuarto round.

Me la dieron como a un zonzo, pegadita con saliva,
mas mi cancha no la pierdo por mal juego que se dé
y, si he quedao arañando como gato panza arriba,
me consuelo embolsicando la experiencia que gané.
En el naipe de la vida, cuando cartas son mujeres,
aunque lleve bien fajadas pa’l amor las treinta y tres,
es inútil que se prendan al querer con alfileres,
si la mina no es de un paño, derechita y sin revés.

English lyrics of the Tango "Barajando"

With the cards of life, half-marked just right,
like the slick swindlers of known stock,
my drumming experience and the full thirty, tightly wrapped,
I ventured into those neighborhoods to lay my trap.
Aided by my Galician grocer’s face,
working the maid of a wealthy family,
and my tin ring with a rear-view mirror,
I’ve sizzled many a mark, like frogs in a frypan.

But then, a dame who had me completely spun,
for whom I even walked crabwise, back-bent,
slicked me with a game so well-polished
that I tore out even the hair on my calloused hands.
While I always played with a well-girded mule,
she, in league with some old hand and big-shot,
sipped her Comte Rosso, neatly settled,
and in the canvas of fools, she laid me out in the fourth round.

They got me like a fool, glued with spit,
but my savvy I don’t lose, no matter the bad play,
and if I’m left scratching like a cat on its back,
I take solace pocketing the experience I gained.
In the card game of life, when cards are women,
even holding all thirty-three tight for love,
it’s futile to pin hopes on pins and wishes,
if the lady is not from a straight and flawless cloth.

Barajando by Eduardo Escaris Méndez

Barajando is a Tango written by Eduardo Escaris Méndez and composed by Nicolás Vaccaro.



Story behind the Tango Barajando

The text of “Barajando” narrates the story of a man who, equipped with guile and deceit, navigates through life manipulating others for personal gain. Using the metaphors of card games (“con las cartas de la vida”), he admits to having “fried many patsies” with his clever deceptions. However, the narrative takes a turn when he encounters a woman who outsmarts him at his own game, leading him to a path of self-reflection about trust and deception in relationships.



Symbolism of Barajando

The central symbols in “Barajando” are the cards, which represent life’s opportunities and challenges, and the practice of gambling, symbolizing the risks taken in life and love. These symbols effectively convey the experiences and moral dilemmas of the protagonist. Key phrases such as “con las cartas de la vida” (with the cards of life) and “me consuelo embolsicando la experiencia que gané” (I find solace pocketing the experience I gained) illustrate the transformation of the main character from a manipulator to someone contemplating the deep lessons of his encounters.



Barajando in historic Context

“Barajando” was created in 1948, a period of significant social and political changes in Argentina. The imagery of card games and clever streetwise tactics may mirror the societal atmosphere of the time, where cunning and resourcefulness could be crucial for survival. The tango captures the complex interplay between personal ambitions and ethical boundaries, a reflection perhaps of the broader societal maneuvers in post-war Argentina.



Eduardo Escaris Méndez

Eduardo Escaris Méndez was an influential lyricist in the realm of Argentine Tango, known for his deep and often introspective lyrics.