Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Caballo de calesita

Caballo de calesita is a Tango written by Miguel Nijensohn and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1936. The Tango Caballo de calesita is written by Miguel Nijensohn, Miguel Caló has recorded Caballo de calesita with the singer Carlos Dante.
“Caballo de calesita,” or “Carousel Horse,” evokes the enchanting dance of painted steeds circling under a canopy of twinkling lights. This tango captures the nostalgia of childhood dreams, where time spins round in hypnotic rhythm. Each note harnesses the joy and melancholy of fleeting moments, inviting listeners to ride life’s whirling enchantments with grace and wonder.

Tango

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Carlos Dante

Singer

Carlos Marín

Author

Miguel Nijensohn

Composer

1936/3/14

Date

Carlos Dante
Carlos Dante
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

Discover Other Orchestras

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.

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Caballo de calesita

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

Letra del Tango Caballo de calesita

Esclavo del deber, vuelta tras vuelta
Acompasando siempre una canción,
Sin inmutar se va
Dejando su gotán
Al dulce piberío.

En la barriada crece su figura
Motivo de entusiasmo y bienestar,
Pues hay que adivinar,
Tras de su lento andar
Que su ternura es sin igual.

Caballo de calesita
Que con los ojos vendados,
Vas recorriendo distancias
Y siempre estás estancado.
Caballo de bondad
Juguete de placer,
Hoy que recuerdo el pasado
Pebete me vuelvo a ver.

English lyrics of the Tango "Caballo de calesita"

Slave to duty, lap after lap
Always pacing a song,
Unmoved it goes
Leaving behind its essence
To the sweet children.

In the neighborhood grows its presence
A cause of excitement and well-being,
For one must guess,
Behind its slow gait
That its tenderness is unmatched.

Carousel horse
With eyes blindfolded,
You traverse distances
Yet you’re always stuck.
Horse of kindness
Toy of pleasure,
Now that I remember the past
I see myself as a child again.

Caballo de calesita by Carlos Marín

Caballo de calesita is a Tango written by Carlos Marín and composed by Miguel Nijensohn.



Story behind the Tango Caballo de calesita

The tango “Caballo de calesita” intertwines the life of a carousel horse with deep symbolisms of routine and nostalgia. In the lyrics, there’s a relentless acknowledgment of constant motion with no progress (“Esclavo del deber, vuelta tras vuelta”), which mirrors the lives of individuals performing mundane tasks repetitively. The carousel horse, while a source of joy and wonder to children, embodies limitations and the entrapment of daily routines. It’s a poignant reflection on life’s cycles and the bittersweet nature of memories.



Symbolism of Caballo de calesita

The titular “Caballo de calesita” (Carousel Horse) symbolizes innocence and the joy of childhood, contrasted sharply with the blindness to reality (“con los ojos vendados”), suggesting a wilful ignorance or an inability to see one’s stagnant situation. The horse, while moving, is paradoxically stagnant, highlighting the contrast between the illusion of progress and actual stagnancy. The phrase “Juguete de placer” accentuates the theme of superficial joy that masks an underlying static existence. This layered symbolism challenges the listener to consider deeper undercurrents beneath visible appearances.



Caballo de calesita in historic context

Recorded in 1936, “Caballo de calesita” was produced during a time of significant social and political changes in Argentina. The era was marked by the rise of populism and a shifting societal landscape, where the struggles of the common people were becoming increasingly prominent in cultural expressions. This context enriches the tango’s theme of cyclical and unprogressive movement, perhaps reflecting the socio-economic conditions where the lower and middle classes felt trapped in unending cycles of labor and hardship, much like the carousel horse bound to its never-ending circular path.



Carlos Marín

Carlos Marín, a poignant Venezuelan singer, lyricist, and actor, is recognized for his deep emotional portrayal of South American ballads and tangos. His work often encapsulates themes of love, nostalgia, and societal reflections.