Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Catamarca

Catamarca is a Tango written by Eduardo Arolas and recorded by Julio De Caro in 1940. Julio De Caro has recorded Catamarca as an instrumental Tango.
The piece of music is called “Catamarca,” which translates to “Fortress of the Mountain” in English. Catamarca evokes a sense of majestic landscapes, where towering peaks guard enchanting valleys below. It captures the spirit of resilience and mystery, weaving melodies that echo the winds’ whispers and the timeless stories of the rugged terrain.

Tango

Style

Julio De Caro

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Jesús Fernández Blanco

Author

Eduardo Arolas

Composer

1940/1/1

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Julio De Caro
Julio De Caro

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Catamarca recorded by other Orchestras

Catamarca recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Catamarca

Hoy quisiera retornar
al suelo que nací,
lejana Catamarca,
que me vio partir,
mientras la chura hermosa,
pegadita a mí,
lloraba silenciosa…
Hoy que el mundo conocí
y el triunfo conquisté,
recuerdo entristecido
el amor feliz
y el vallecito lindo
donde yo canté
¡la dicha de vivir!…

Muy rico de ilusiones,
muy pobre de experiencia,
las raudas alas loco desplegué,
pero fue visión lo que yo soñé…
Y en mis meditaciones
me dice la conciencia
que al vallecito tengo que volver
¡para revivir mi ayer!…

Si se viviera dos veces
jamás me alejaría
de donde pasó mi niñez,
donde nació mi alegría.
¡Allí donde amaba,
cantaba y reía!…
Sueño vivir con mi amada
en la nativa fronda,
mirando sus ojos de sol,
de una ternura tan honda
que nadie ni nada
de mi alma borró…

English lyrics of the Tango "Catamarca"

Today I wish to return
to the land where I was born,
distant Catamarca,
that saw me depart,
while the beautiful darling,
close to me,
cried silently…
Now that I have seen the world
and conquered success,
I recall with sadness
the happy love
and the lovely valley
where I sang
the joy of living!…

Rich in dreams,
yet poor in experience,
I crazily spread my rapid wings,
but what I dreamed was just a vision…
And in my reflections,
my conscience tells me
that I must return to the valley
to relive my past!…

If one could live twice,
I would never stray
from where my childhood passed,
where my joy was born.
There, where I loved,
sang and laughed!…
I dream to live with my beloved
in the native woods,
looking into her sun-like eyes,
of a tenderness so deep
that nothing and no one
has erased from my soul…

Catamarca by Jesús Fernández Blanco

Catamarca is a Tango written by Jesús Fernández Blanco and composed by Eduardo Arolas.


Story behind the Tango Catamarca

The lyrics of “Catamarca” poignant express a deep longing and nostalgia for the author’s homeland. The writer reflects on his desire to return to his native soil, Catamarca, a region in Argentina which he left behind. The sorrow of leaving is intensified by a vivid memory of a tearful beloved remaining there as he departed. Amid gaining worldly experiences and successes, the song narrates an enriched yet saddened perspective, the emotional conflict between past happiness and current achievement. “Catamarca” emerges not just as a geographical homage, but as a spiritual yearning for returning to one’s roots and simpler times of joy.


Symbolism of Catamarca

The use of certain phrases such as “Muy rico de ilusiones, muy pobre de experiencia,” which translates to “Very rich in illusions, very poor in experience,” symbolically addresses the contrast between youthful naivety and mature realization. The repeated mention of the ‘vallecito lindo’ (beautiful little valley) and elements such as ‘nativa fronda’ (native foliage) and the sunlight in her eyes, use nature as a metaphor for pure, untainted beginnings and the true essence of life untouched by worldly accomplishments. The protagonist’s ongoing internal dialogue in the lyrics indicates a profound connection between self-realization and origins.


Catamarca in historic Context

Recorded in 1940, “Catamarca” was crafted during a period when many Argentines faced internal conflicts between the rural and increasingly urban identities. The country was rapidly urbanizing while many still felt a strong bond with the pastoral life of the provinces. Particularly, Catamarca being a less developed region compared to Buenos Aires, embodies traditional Argentine values and serene landscapes. This historical backdrop adds a layer of melancholy and nationalistic pride to the lyrics, as people struggled with the seduction of modern city life versus the pull of their pastoral, rustic heritage.


Jesús Fernández Blanco

Jesús Fernández Blanco was an Argentine poet known for his contributions to the rich cultural repertoire of tango lyrics, often exploring themes of love, nostalgia, and societal reflections.