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Boedo

Boedo is a Tango written by Julio De Caro and recorded by Francini-Pontier in 1947. Francini-Pontier has recorded Boedo as an instrumental Tango.
“Boedo,” translated into English as “Boedo,” retains its name as a tribute to the historic neighborhood in Buenos Aires. This name evokes the soul of the bustling streets, where cobblestones tell tales of passion and resilience. In its melodies, “Boedo” captures the essence of a community’s spirit, dancing between the past and the present.

Tango

Style

Francini-Pontier

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Dante A. Linyera

Author

Julio De Caro

Composer

1947/9/24

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Francini-Pontier
Francini-Pontier

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Boedo recorded by other Orchestras

Boedo recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Boedo

Sos barrio del gotán y la pebeta,

el corazón del arrabal porteño,

cuna del malandrín y del poeta,

rincón cordial,

la capital

del arrabal.



Yo me hice allí de corazón malevo

porque enterré mi juventud inquieta

junto al umbral en el que la pebeta

ya no me espera

pa’ chamuyar.



Boedo, vos sos como yo:

malevo como es el gotán,

abierto como un corazón

que ya se cansó de penar.

Lo mismo que vos soy así:

por fuera cordial y cantor,

a todos les bato que sí

y a mi corazón le bato que no.



Sos como yo de milongón… Un cacho

del arrabal, en su emoción del lengue,

ande el gotán, provocador y macho

hoy es el Dios

Nuestro Señor

del Berretín.



¿Qué quiere hacer esa fifí Florida?

¡Si vos ponés tu corazón canyengue,

como una flor en el ojal prendida,

en los balcones

de cada bulín!

English lyrics of the Tango "Boedo"

You’re the neighborhood of tango and the gal,

the heart of the Buenos Aires slum,

haven of the crook and the poet,

a friendly corner,

the capital

of the slum.

I turned tough-hearted there

because I buried my restless youth

by the threshold where the gal

no longer waits for me

to chat.

Boedo, you are like me:
rugged as the tango dance,
open like a heart
that’s tired of suffering.
Just like you I am:
outwardly warm and a singer,
to everyone I say yes,
but to my heart, I say no.

You’re like me in a dance hall… A piece
of the slum, its language stirred,
where the tango, provocative and bold
today is the God
Our Lord
of Obsession.

What does that posh Florida lady want?
If you put your spirited heart,
like a flower pinned in a lapel,
on the balconies
of every little house!

Boedo by Dante A. Linyera

Boedo is a Tango written by Dante A. Linyera and composed by Julio De Caro.



Story behind the Tango Boedo

The tango “Boedo” reflects the soul of a vibrant neighborhood in Buenos Aires, characterized by its deep connection to tango culture, the working class, and the bohemian life. The lyrics narrate the experiences of a narrator who has matured within these streets, highlighting the formative role the neighborhood has played in shaping his identity. This man, changed by his experiences, views Boedo as a mirror to his own life, a place where he buried his restless youth and loved deeply. The atmosphere of the lyrics captures the spirit of nostalgia and deep affection for a place considered the heart of the suburb.



Symbolism of Boedo

Key phrases like “sos barrio del gotán y la pebeta,” where “gotán” is Lunfardo for tango, symbolize the intrinsic connection of the neighborhood to the tango scene. “Cuna del malandrín y del poeta” further amplifies Boedo as a cradle for both the mischievous and the creative, highlighting the dual nature of the area. Boedo is personified and described similarly to the narrator: cordial yet sorrowful, externally welcoming while concealing internal struggles, epitomized in the line “a todos les bato que sí y a mi corazón le bato que no.” The phrase reveals a facade of agreement and acceptance masking a core of denial and suppression. This duality aligns with the common human experience of showing a brave face while handling personal grief.



Boedo in Historic Context

Created in 1947, shortly after World War II, “Boedo” not only represents a geographical location but also echoes the period’s cultural resilience. During this time, Argentina saw an emergence of narratives that spoke to national identity and local pride. The historical and geographical context places Boedo as a centerpiece for cultural and social convergence, a battleground for the emerging middle class and artistic expressions. Thus, the song is an ode to the enduring spirit of its people and the Tango, a resilient thread in the Argentine cultural fabric.



Dante A. Linyera

Dante A. Linyera was a notable Argentine lyricist known for his impactful contributions to the tango genre, embedding deep emotional and cultural narratives within his works.