Cristal by Loe

Cristal is a tango written by Loe and composed by Mariano Mores.

Story behind the Tango Cristal

The tango “Cristal” reflects heartache and a poignant reminiscence of lost love. The song’s narrator laments over a love that once was and is now irretrievably gone, encapsulating emotions of loneliness, regret, and an unyielding attachment to nostalgia. The tale unfolds with a vivid portrayal of aging and the relentless passage of time (“cuántos años han pasado”), highlighting a profound grief over what has been lost and can never be reclaimed.

Symbolism of Cristal

In “Cristal,” the metaphor of fragility, represented by the title itself, serves as a poignant symbol of the delicate and transient nature of love. The repeated comparisons to fragile crystal underscore love’s ephemeral quality—beautiful yet easily shattered (“más frágil que el cristal fue mi amor junto a ti”). This imagery heightens the emotional depth of the song, as does the depiction of dreams and timidity trembling softly on the balcony which evokes youthful innocence and hope now faded. The “tarde de mi ausencia” marks the irreversible moment of loss, while the idea of waiting “junto a Dios, más allá” offers a somber hint at reunion beyond life’s confines, touching on themes of faith and eternity.

Cristal in historic Context

“Cristal” was created in 1944, a period marked by the turbulent backdrop of World War II’s final years, yet also reflects the intensely personal and local emotions tied to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This era in Buenos Aires was characterized by a flourishing tango scene, where the music was a profound outlet for personal storytelling. The song’s introspective nature and existential musings resonate with a society grappling with the bigger global uncertainties but reflected through the lens of individual loss and memory. The imagery of worn years and gray hair corresponds with a time of reflection and introspection common during this epoch.

Loe

Loe was the lyricist behind “Cristal,” contributing to the rich tango tradition with words that evoke deep emotional landscapes, reflective of the personal and collective soul of mid-20th-century Argentina.