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Calesita de barrio

Calesita de barrio is a Tango written by Juan José Paz and recorded by Francini-Pontier in 1949. The Tango Calesita de barrio is written by Juan José Paz, Francini-Pontier has recorded Calesita de barrio with the singer Alberto Podestá.
“Calesita de barrio,” or “Neighborhood Carousel,” captures the essence of a timeless local merry-go-round nestled in the heart of a bustling community. The music reflects the swirling colors and laughter of children, mingling with the whispers of old stories shared by those who gather nearby. It’s a nostalgic dance of past and present, where every tune tells a tale of belonging and tradition.

Tango

Style

Francini-Pontier

Orchestra

Alberto Podestá

Singer

Jesús Otero

Author

Juan José Paz

Composer

1949/8/1

Date

Alberto Podestá
Alberto Podestá
Francini-Pontier
Francini-Pontier

Discover Other Orchestras

Carlos di Sarli – Tú
el cielo y tú – 1944/11/8
Carlos di Sarli – La novia del mar – 1948/6/22
Carlos di Sarli – Bahia Blanca – 1957/11/21
Carlos di Sarli – Lo mismo que antes – 1941/12/26
Carlos di Sarli – Un lamento – 1944/11/8
Rodolfo Biagi – Aroma de amor – 1946/1/18
Rodolfo Biagi – Canción de rango (Pa’ que se callen) – 1943/4/29
Rodolfo Biagi – Soledad la de Barracas – 1945/9/6
Rodolfo Biagi – Oh mama mía – 1959/9/16
Rodolfo Biagi – La marcha nupcial – 1941/3/26
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Escalas en azul – 1959/6/17
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Gardenias – 1959/8/18
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Me has robado el corazón – 1959/11/23
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Lucecitas de mi pueblo – 1959/6/30
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – La huella – 1959/9/29
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – La tablada – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Los mareados – 1968/9/11
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Del barrio de las latas – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Pablo – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – A Pedro Maffia – 1968/9/11

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.

1949/8/1 – El hijo triste – Francini-Pontier
1949/8/2 – Madre hay una sola – Florindo Sassone
1949/8/2 – Te juro madre mia – Florindo Sassone
1949/7/27 – La punalada – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo
1949/7/26 – La maleva – Juan D-Arienzo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Calesita de barrio

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

Letra del Tango Calesita de barrio

Calesita de mi barrio que en mis años de purrete

eras el mejor juguete que me podían brindar,

cuando paso por tu lado, recordando aquellos tiempos,

no sé explicar lo que siento, pero quisiera llorar.

Calesita de mi barrio, espejo de mi alegría,

tal vez el progreso un día te lleve hacia otro rincón,

pero tenelo por cierto, que aunque deje de ser chico,

ha de vivir tu organito dentro de mi corazón.



Cuantas veces sin un cobre hasta tu lado llegaba

para ver si me colaba, por descuido o por error,

y mordiéndome de rabia pensaba en los cinco guitas

que había gastado en masitas, tal vez el día anterior.

Voy recordando esos años, cuando al salir de la escuela,

dejaba rango, rayuela y vigilante ladrón,

para correr presuroso hasta el viejo potrerito

donde vos, con tu organito, gambeteabas mi ilusión.



Las veces que he protestado al viejo calesitero

¡eh!… ¡diga!, no tan ligero, así quién la va a sacar

y el viejito ocultando, su ya clásica sonrisa,

me paraba la sortija justo cuando iba a pasar.

Calesita de mi barrio espejo de mi alegría

tal vez el progreso, un día, te lleve hacia otro rincón

pero tenelo por cierto, que aunque deje de ser chico,

ha de vivir tu organito dentro de mi corazón.

English lyrics of the Tango "Calesita de barrio"

Carousel of my neighborhood, when I was just a boy,
you were the best toy that I could ever enjoy.
When I pass by you now, remembering those days,
I can’t explain my feelings, but I wish I could weep.

Carousel of my neighborhood, reflection of my joy,
perhaps progress one day will move you away.
But be certain of this, even if I’m no longer a child,
your music will live on, deep inside my heart.

How many times without a penny, I came up to you,
hoping to sneak on by mistake or oversight,
and biting back anger, I’d think of the nickel
spent on candy, maybe just the day before.

Recalling those years, when after school let out,
I’d leave behind games, hopscotch, cops and robbers,
to run eagerly to the old lot,
where you, with your music, would dodge my dreams.

The times I’ve complained to the old carousel man,
“Hey!… say! Not so fast, how can anyone win?”
And the old man, hiding his usual grin,
would stop the ring just as I was to grab it.
Carousel of my neighborhood, mirror of my happiness,
perhaps progress, one day, will take you to another place,
but be certain of this, even if I’m no longer a boy,
your music will live on, deep inside my heart.

Calesita de barrio by Jesús Otero

Calesita de barrio is a Tango written by Jesús Otero and composed by Juan José Paz.



Story behind the Tango Calesita de barrio

The lyrics of “Calesita de barrio” evoke vivid memories of childhood, reflecting on simple joys and the passage of time. A ‘Calesita’ (carousel) in the neighborhood serves as the central metaphor for childhood—a time of innocence and unbridled happiness. Jesús Otero reminisces about the carousel as the ‘best toy’ anyone could have offered him, symbolizing pure, carefree moments. The nostalgic tone is palpable when he mentions walking past the carousel as an adult, stirring emotions so deep that it moves him almost to tears.



Symbolism of Calesita de barrio

The carousel, or “Calesita,” stands as a powerful symbol of youth’s fleeting nature and the inevitable progress that may one day remove such simple pleasures to make way for new developments. The repeated lines, “ha de vivir tu organito dentro de mi corazón,” suggest that although physical objects might disappear, their essence and the joy they provided survive in our memories and hearts. The carousel’s organ grinder music, aiming to encapsulate dreams and childhood illusion, represents the inevitable disillusionments everyone faces growing up.



Calesita de barrio in historic Context

Created in 1949, post-World War II Argentina was an era marked by significant political, social, and economic changes. Industrialization was accelerating, potentially threatening the simple, community-centric way of life epitomized by neighborhood staples like the carousel. The “progress” mentioned in the lyrics likely alludes to this encroachment, reflecting a universal tension between preserving cultural heritage and embracing modernization. Thus, the tango resonates with listeners who feel disconnected from their past due to relentless progress.



Jesús Otero

Jesús Otero was a prominent figure in the tango genre, known for his evocative lyrics that often delve into themes of nostalgia and personal reflection.