Caminito by Gabino Coria Peñaloza

Caminito is a Tango written by Gabino Coria Peñaloza and composed by Juan de Dios Filiberto.

Story behind the Tango Caminito

The lyrics of “Caminito” narrate the story of a person returning to a once-familiar path where they walked with a loved one. This path, which has been forgotten by time, symbolizes the places shared with a lost love. The narrator visits this path one last time to confront their sorrow and reminisce about the past, marking a final farewell to both the path itself and the memories associated with it.

Symbolism of Caminito

The song uses the ‘Caminito’ or ‘little path’ as a poignant symbol of the course of the narrator’s past relationship – a relationship that has since faded much like the path itself. The imagery of a path “bordado de trébol y juncos en flor” (embroidered with clover and reeds in bloom) contrasted with the later “cubierto de cardos” (covered in thistles) underscores the transition from the flourishing to the desolate stages of love. The path not only weaves through the landscape but through the emotional states of the narrator, reflecting his joy once and now his deep sorrow and longing.

Caminito in historic Context

“Caminito” was written by Gabino Coria Peñaloza and composed by Juan de Dios Filiberto, established figures in the Argentine tango scene. While the official year of creation listed as 1977 seems to be for this particular recording or version, the song itself originates much earlier, around 1926. This period was a time when tango music was deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Argentina, often expressing themes of love, loss, and melancholy which resonated widely in a country experiencing significant social and economic shifts.

Gabino Coria Peñaloza

Gabino Coria Peñaloza was a notable Argentine poet and lyricist, recognized for contributing significant works to the canon of tango music.