Barro by Horacio Sanguinetti

Barro is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by Osvaldo Pugliese.

Story behind the Tango Barro

“Barro,” translating to “Mud” in English, dives deep into the themes of despair and the quest for redemption and forgiveness. The lyrics express a poignant narrative of a soul marred by life’s hardships, akin to being splattered by mud. The protagonist reflects on living as synonymous to suffering and the desire to forget the tainted past, emphasizing a life plagued with only “wilted flowers, anxiety, and solitude.”

Symbolism of Barro

The metaphor of “Barro” or mud symbolizes the tainted and stained aspects of life—emotional or moral impurity. Key phrases such as “my heart is tarnished because the mud has splattered it” and “my life has always been all mud, like a tango from the slum,” vividly encapsulate the feelings of having one’s essence or reputation darkened by external and internal struggles. Another poignant symbol used is the “snow of my sorrows,” suggesting a desire for a cleansing transformation, an erasure of pain by “two good hands.”

Barro in historic Context

Written in 1951, “Barro” emerged during a period when Argentina was undergoing significant political and cultural shifts. Tango itself, often a reflection of the societal mood, was a popular medium for expressing the common people’s struggles and emotions. This tango, with its motifs of pain and existential turmoil, connects deeply with the collective sentiment of the Argentine people during the mid-20th century – a time characterized by economic challenges and social upheaval.

Horacio Sanguinetti

Horacio Sanguinetti was an Argentine lyricist known for his deep and poignant contributions to the world of Tango. His works often explore themes of melancholy, nostalgia, and social commentary.