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Cenizas

Cenizas is a Tango written by José María Contursi and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in NaN. Aníbal Troilo has recorded Cenizas as an instrumental Tango.
“Cenizas,” meaning “Ashes,” evokes the lingering remnants of passionate encounters, much like the smoldering remains after a fierce fire. It speaks of memories that persist even after the flames have died, suggesting a dance of emotions both tender and haunting. In the gentle sway of its melody, one feels the echoes of love that refuse to fade away.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Emilio Fresedo

Author

José María Contursi

Composer

(unknown date)

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

Discover Other Orchestras

Armando Pontier – El rosal de los cerros – 1956/1/17
Armando Pontier – Es tu imagen – 1968/9/17
Armando Pontier – Buenos Aires – 1956/10/17
Armando Pontier – Dame tiempo – 1967/2/3
Armando Pontier – Preparate pa’l domingo – 1979/6/5
Francisco Rotundo – Sin barco y sin amor – 1955/6/9
Francisco Rotundo – No es más que yo – 1952/12/23
Francisco Rotundo – Un infierno – 1953/12/14
Francisco Rotundo – Bien pulenta – 1950/12/29
Francisco Rotundo – Muriéndome de amor – 1956/12/5
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Nunca tuvo novio – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Rosicler – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
Osvaldo Pugliese – Verano porteño – 1966/5/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Gente de teatro – 1969/10/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Por qué la quise tanto – 1962/9/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Mirando la lluvia – 1946/12/20
Osvaldo Pugliese – Silbar de boyero – 1944/3/31

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.

(unknown date) – Chique – Anibal Troilo
(unknown date) – Contratiempo – Anibal Troilo
(unknown date) – Cualquier cosa – Anibal Troilo
(unknown date) – Del suburbio – Anibal Troilo
1954/9/8 – Pobre buzon – Carlos di Sarli

Letra del Tango Cenizas

Entre tus ropas vi una carta
casi de vieja está borrada,
y en ella decías: yo te quiero,
toda tuya, toda soy.
Entre tus ropas vi una carta
que la guardé porque esperaba,
no me engañarías y de nuevo,
a mi lado vuelves hoy.

En mi cabecera colgué
la estampilla y una flor,
que marchita la guardé;
me la diste como prueba de cariño
y llenaste mi pecho de ilusión.
Te convencerás que no fui
tan malito y que con vos
pasé el tiempo más feliz.
Yo no sé si un consejo o si tu almita
se empeñó en destrozar mi corazón.

Vieras solo, como estaba
la tristeza me mataba,
nadie pudo contentarme,
nadie pudo ahogar mi amor.
¡Ay! si vieras el que quiere.
¡Ay! si vieras como siente,
como siente al quedar solo
con sus penas y dolor.

Pronto los días fueron años
nunca sentí tal desengaño,
siempre te esperaba y no volvías
y mi vida se amargó.
Tanto pensaba en el pasado,
tanto miraba tu retrato
que me pareció ver las cenizas,
las cenizas de mi amor.

English lyrics of the Tango " Cenizas"

Among your clothes, I found a letter,
nearly old, its words erased,
and in it, you said: I love you,
all yours, I’m all embraced.
Among your clothes, I found a letter,
kept it close, in hope embraced,
you wouldn’t deceive, and once more,
by my side you’d return today.

Above my bed, I hung the image,
a stamp and flower, now decayed,
kept it as a proof of feeling
filling my heart with hope displayed.
You’ll see that I was not so bad,
with you, the happiest days did stay.
I don’t know if advice or your spirit
sought to tear my heart away.

If you could see me, how I was,
sadness killing me inside,
no one could bring me comfort,
no one could drown out my love.
Oh! if you saw the lover,
Oh! if you saw how he hurts,
how he feels when alone left
with his sorrows and his pain.

Soon the days turned into years,
never felt such discontent,
always waiting, you weren’t coming,
and my life in bitterness was spent.
So much I thought of days gone by,
so much I gazed on your small portrait,
that I seemed to see the ashes,
the ashes of my love’s lament.

Cenizas by José María Contursi

Cenizas is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by José María Contursi.

Story behind the Tango Cenizas

The tango “Cenizas” tells a poignant story of lost love and unfulfilled expectations. The lyrics revolve around a narrative where the protagonist discovers an old letter among the belongings of a loved one, reigniting memories and feelings of a past relationship. This letter, faded with age, professed undying love and sparked hope within the protagonist. Despite these sentiments, the cherished memories are overshadowed by a sense of abandonment and longing, as if those promises had turned into nothing but cold, grey ashes—’cenizas’ in Spanish.

Symbolism of Cenizas

The title “Cenizas,” meaning ashes, serves as a potent symbol within the song, representing the remnants of a once-vibrant love that has now diminished to mere memories. The letter, an emblem of affectionate words and promises, alongside the stamp and withered flower, symbolize the fleeting nature and deterioration of love over time. These objects, once full of meaning and hope, now serve as bittersweet reminders of a love gone by.

Key phrases such as “toda tuya, toda soy” express an absolute devotion that contrasts starkly with the later imagery of solitude and betrayal. Another poignant phrase, “pronto los días fueron años,” captures the passage of time and the slow transformation of hope into despair.

Cenizas in historic Context

Written in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a time deeply influenced by tango culture, “Cenizas” reflects the emotive intensity and melancholy typical of tango music from the mid-20th century. Buenos Aires, renowned for its vibrant tango scene, saw these songs as a way to express the complexities of emotion and relationships. This particular tango, set against the backdrop of a city that thrives on passion and artistic expression, resonates with a universal theme of love and loss, capturing the hearts of its listeners and reflecting the cultural depth of Argentina during that era.

José María Contursi

José María Contursi was a prolific Argentine tango lyricist known for his poignant and emotional lyrics. His work often drew from themes of love, longing, and the passage of time, leaving a significant mark on the tango tradition.