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De segunda mano

De segunda mano is a Tango written by Alfonso Sayons and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1935. The Tango De segunda mano is written by Alfonso Sayons, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded De segunda mano with the singer Roberto Ray.
“De segunda mano,” or “Second-Hand,” whispers tales of timeworn memories etched into its melody. This composition, like a well-worn letter, carries the echoes of past lives, their joys and sorrows passed down in every note. In its dance, one finds a delicate balance between nostalgia and renewal, weaving old stories into the fabric of the present.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Roberto Ray

Singer

Luis Ese

Author

Alfonso Sayons

Composer

1935/8/7

Date

Roberto Ray
Roberto Ray
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango De segunda mano

This is the translation of the Tango “De segunda mano” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “De segunda mano” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango De segunda mano

Vidriera mistonga
Fue ayer al mirarte
Tus cosas usadas me hablaron de antes
[Tras ahí dejados] viejos relojes
Dichas de nácar
Dicha fulera
Roto algo de aquel pasado
Volviste a mí

De segunda mano
Tu mirada pura
De segunda mano
Tu sonrisa ingenua
De segunda mano
El amor que ahora que vendés
Como tablero de damas
Como zapatos plateados
Como traje de suaré

English lyrics of the Tango "De segunda mano"

Tawdry shop window
It was just yesterday as I saw you
Your used items spoke to me of the past
[Left behind there] old clocks
Happiness of pearl
Miserable joy
Something broken from that past
You came back to me

Secondhand
Your pure gaze
Secondhand
Your innocent smile
Secondhand
The love that now you sell
Like a checkerboard
Like silver shoes
Like a party dress

De segunda mano by Luis Ese

De segunda mano is a Tango written by Luis Ese and composed by Alfonso Sayons.


Story behind the Tango De segunda mano

The lyrics of “De segunda mano” paint a vivid image of a person revisiting a past filled with used, sentimental objects. The setting described could likely be a pawn shop or a second-hand store, where items such as “viejos relojes” (old watches) and “traje de suaré” (evening suit) reflect memories of a bygone era. These objects serve as metaphors for the emotional baggage and past experiences the protagonist encounters upon returning to a lover. The phrase “De segunda mano,” translating to “second-hand” in English, reveals a profound commentary on the recycling of love and emotions, where everything now offered is not new but reused and carries the weight of previous ownership.



Symbolism of De segunda mano

Key phrases like “Vidriera mistonga,” historically referring to a cheap or low-quality storefront, and “Tus cosas usadas” (“your used things”) evoke a strong emotional atmosphere of nostalgia and melancholy. The symbolism is rich in depicting how past love, like the second-hand items, carries marks and scuffs from previous experiences. The use of “De segunda mano” repeatedly emphasizes the core sentiment of the tango—receiving something that’s not fresh or original, but rather, handed down with history. Items mentioned such as “zapatos plateados” (silver shoes) symbolically contrast their bright, valuable appearance with the faded sentiment they represent.



De segunda mano in historic Context

The tango was recorded on August 7, 1935, in Argentina. This period in Argentine history was marked by significant political and social shifts, a context that often infiltrated the music of the time. Tangos from this era frequently captured themes of loss, longing, and the passage of time—sentiments that resonate deeply in “De segunda mano.” The portrayal of revisiting a pawned history perhaps mirrors a society grappling with its transformative and often painful history, looking back on what once was with a mix of fondness and sorrow.



Luis Ese

Luis Ese, an Argentine lyricist, often explored themes of love, loss, and social commentary in his compositions, contributing significantly to the tango genre.