Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Corazón de papel

Corazón de papel is a Tango written by Cátulo Castillo and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1948. The Tango Corazón de papel is written by Cátulo Castillo, Miguel Caló has recorded Corazón de papel with the singer Roberto Arrieta.
“Corazón de papel,” which translates to “Paper Heart,” captures the fragility and tenderness of human emotions. This piece of music, whether tenderly sung or passionately played, unveils the delicate layers of love that can easily be torn or crumpled, much like paper. The melody dances between vulnerability and resilience, reminding us of the fleeting yet profound beauty of our emotional ties.

Tango

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Roberto Arrieta

Singer

Alberto Franco

Author

Cátulo Castillo

Composer

1948/9/23

Date

Roberto Arrieta
Roberto Arrieta
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Canaro – Qué dirá mamá – 1925/1/1
Francisco Canaro – La argentinita – 1923/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Comandante Franco – 1926/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Francesita – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Nerón – 1923/1/1
Alfredo Gobbi – Lágrimas y sonrisas – 1954/12/14
Alfredo Gobbi – Cuatro novios – 1954/6/22
Alfredo Gobbi – Calor de hogar – 1951/6/26
Alfredo Gobbi – Reflexionemos – 1957/10/8
Alfredo Gobbi – No me supiste amar – 1958/7/31
Enrique Francini – Mientras viva – 1957/9/18
Enrique Francini – Tamborilera – 1956/7/27
Enrique Francini – Bailonga – 1958/3/14
Enrique Francini – Milonga con variación (Milonga con variaciones) – 1970/12/18
Enrique Francini – Quedémonos aquí – 1956/12/20
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Scherzo – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Tu romanza – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – La chica de Ipanema (Garota de Ipanema) – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Fuegos artificiales – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – En bateau – 1970/1/1

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.

Corazón de papel recorded by other Orchestras

Corazón de papel recorded by other Orchestras

1948/9/23 – Pampa y huella – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/9/23 – Eterna – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/9/23 – Pof pof – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/9/23 – Derecho viejo – Juan D-Arienzo
1948/9/23 – Nunca mas – Miguel Calo
Corazon de papel – 1947/10/24 – Anibal Troilo – Floreal Ruiz
Corazon de papel – 1948/9/23 – Miguel Calo – Roberto Arrieta

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Corazón de papel

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

Letra del Tango Corazón de papel

Cuando llegaste al nido, tus ojos soñadores

clavaste en mi muñeca vestida de Pierrot

y alzándola en tus brazos, como una madrecita,

dijiste: ‘Pobrecita, no tiene corazón’.

Tus manos diligentes hurgaron todo el cuarto

y con un pedacito muy rojo de papel,

un corazón le hiciste, un corazón pequeño,

que clavaste en su pecho con un lindo alfiler.



Muñequita de trapo

vestida de Pierrot,

nunca tendrá tu pecho,

amores ni ilusión,

nunca podrás vivir

nunca podrás querer,

muñequita de trapo,

corazón de papel.



Pasaron cuatro meses de sueños y de idilio

y vos, que en ese pecho tenés un corazón,

igual que golondrina volaste hacia otro nido

sin preocuparte nada por lo que atrás quedó.

No importa, pobre cosa de carne pasajera,

te apagarás un día lo mismo que un quinqué

y en cambio mi muñeca será siempre la misma

con su pecho sin alma que hiere un alfiler.



Muñequita de trapo

vestida de Pierrot,

aunque no tengas alma

te quiero sólo a vos,

pues sé que para siempre

habrás de serme fiel,

muñequita de trapo,

corazón de papel.

English lyrics of the Tango "Corazón de papel"

When you came to the nest, your dreamy eyes

You fixed on my doll dressed as Pierrot

and lifting her in your arms, like a little mother,

you said: ‘Poor thing, she has no heart’.

Your diligent hands rummaged through the room

and with a little piece of very red paper,

you made a heart, a small heart,

that you pinned in her chest with a lovely pin.

Little rag doll

dressed as Pierrot,

your chest will never hold

love or dreams,

you can never live

you can never love,

little rag doll,

paper heart.

Four months of dreams and romance passed

and you, who have a heart in that chest,

like a swallow, flew to another nest

without caring at all about what was left behind.
No matter, poor being of fleeting flesh,
one day you will fade just like a lamp
and in contrast my doll will always be the same
with her soulless chest wounded by a pin.

Little rag doll

dressed as Pierrot,

although you have no soul

I love only you,

for I know that forever

you will be faithful to me,

little rag doll,

paper heart.

Corazón de papel by Alberto Franco

Corazón de papel is a Tango written by Alberto Franco and composed by Cátulo Castillo.



Story behind the Tango Corazón de papel

The lyrics of “Corazón de papel” narrate a poignant story of fleeting love and emotional detachment, symbolized through the interactions with a doll. The narrator recalls a time when a lover, depicted with dreamy eyes, affectionately tended to a doll, giving it a makeshift paper heart. However, as time passes, this lover leaves, akin to a swallow flying to another nest, leaving behind emotional voids and unfulfilled promises. The doll, with its unchanging, inanimate nature, remains loyal, contrasting sharply with human fickleness.



Symbolism of Corazón de papel

The central symbol in the song, the “corazón de papel” (paper heart), represents the fragility and superficiality of emotions that are easily crafted and just as easily abandoned. This ephemeral nature of the paper heart contrasts with the enduring, albeit hollow, existence of the doll. Throughout the tango, the doll and its paper heart are metaphors for the human condition—capable of artificial emotions but lacking the depth required for meaningful connections. The reference to “muñequita de trapo” (rag doll) dressed as Pierrot—a character often associated with sadness and unrequited love in pantomime—deepens the theme of sorrow and superficiality in relationships.



Corazón de papel in historic Context

Composed in 1948 in Argentina, “Corazón de papel” emerges in a post-war context where social and emotional upheaval were prevalent. This period saw a shift in societal structures and personal relationships, often leading to feelings of disillusionment and cynicism. The transient love story in the tango captures this mood of the era, where permanence in relationships was overshadowed by fleeting interactions and where individuals sought solace in whatever semblance of constancy they could find, even if it was in lifeless objects like dolls.



Alberto Franco

Alberto Franco, an influential figure in the world of Tango, is renowned for his poignant lyrics that often delve into themes of love, betrayal, and existential angst.