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Boedo

Boedo is a Tango written by Julio De Caro and recorded by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1948. Osvaldo Pugliese has recorded Boedo as an instrumental Tango.
“Boedo,” translated as “A Field” in English, captures the essence of an expansive landscape rich with stories and culture. It weaves tales of the bustling Argentinian neighborhood, reflecting both its vibrant heart and quiet corners. Through each note, it dances with the echoes of history, whispering the dreams and struggles of its people.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Pugliese

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Dante A. Linyera

Author

Julio De Caro

Composer

1948/7/14

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Pugliese
Osvaldo Pugliese

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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 dance and the young lass,

the heart of the local suburb,

birthplace of the rogue and the poet,

a welcoming corner,

the capital

of the suburb.

There, my heart turned rogue

as I buried my restless youth

by the threshold where the young lass

no longer waits

to chat.

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

You are like a milonga… A piece
of the suburb, in its linguistic thrill,
where the provocative and manly dance
is now the God
Our Lord
of Passion.

What does that posh lady want to do?
If you put your spirited heart
like a flower pinned to the lapel,
on the balconies
of each love nest!

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

“Boedo” is more than a tango; it’s an evocative portrayal of a neighborhood integral to Buenos Aires’ cultural and geographic fabric. Dante A. Linyera uses vivid imagery and emotive language to capture the essence of the area, known for its bohemian, artistic spirit, and resilient inhabitants. The lyrics describe Boedo as the genesis of both the rogue and the poet, suggesting a duality of character seen frequently across Buenos Aires. The opening lines celebrate Boedo’s eclectic character, highlighting its connection to both the existential ‘gotán’ (slang for tango) and the quintessential ‘pebeta’ (young woman).



Symbolism of Boedo

The central metaphor of Boedo—the heart of Buenos Aires’ suburbia—echoes throughout the song, encapsulating themes of love, loss, and longing. “Boedo, vos sos como yo” (Boedo, you are like me) reflects a profound identification with the place, emphasizing shared characteristics like resilience (‘malevo’) and openness. Linyera uses terms like ‘malevo’ (streetwise man) and ‘gotán’ to resonate with his audience, portraying a proud defiance and cultural rootedness. The juxtaposition of the inner emotional struggles and the outward friendly, musical facade of both the neighborhood and the narrator is particularly poignant.



Boedo in Historic Context

This tango was created in the aftermath of World War II, a period marked by global reconstruction and significant political changes in Argentina. By 1948, Buenos Aires was evolving rapidly, urbanizing while trying to preserve its cultural identities. “Boedo” captures this transformation, highlighting a nostalgia for the embattled yet passionate life of the suburbs. The historical significance is emphasized through the mention of ‘Florida’, a reference to Buenos Aires’ upscale street, juxtaposing the upscale developments against the traditional heartland of Boedo. This reflects a community holding on to its roots amidst significant socio-economic shifts.



Dante A. Linyera

Dante A. Linyera was an influential Argentine lyricist known for his deep emotional connection to Buenos Aires’ urban landscapes.