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Duelo criollo

Duelo criollo is a Tango written by Juan Rezzano and recorded by Florindo Sassone in 1970. Florindo Sassone has recorded Duelo criollo as an instrumental Tango.
“Duelo criollo,” meaning “Creole Duel” in English, evokes an intense dance of emotions. It speaks of a timeless clash, where love and loss entwine in a passionate and sorrowful embrace. The music serves as a poignant reminder of life’s bittersweet battles, echoing stories of heartache and resilience through every note.

Tango

Style

Florindo Sassone

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Lito Bayardo

Author

Juan Rezzano

Composer

1970/4/30

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Florindo Sassone
Florindo Sassone

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Duelo criollo recorded by other Orchestras

Duelo criollo recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Duelo criollo

Mientras la luna serena

baña con su luz de plata

como un sollozo de pena

se oye cantar su canción;

la canción dulce y sentida

que todo el barrio escuchaba

cuando el silencio reinaba

en el viejo caserón.



Cuentan que fue la piba de arrabal,

la flor del barrio aquel que amaba un payador.

Sólo para ella cantó el amor

al pie de su ventanal;

pero otro amor por aquella mujer,

nació en el corazón del taura más mentao

que un farol, en duelo criollo vio,

bajo su débil luz, morir los dos.



Por eso gime en las noches

de tan silenciosa calma

esa canción que es el broche

de aquel amor que pasó…

De pena la linda piba

abrió bien anchas sus alas

y con su virtud y sus galas

hasta el cielo se voló.

English lyrics of the Tango "Duelo criollo"

While the serene moon bathes
with its silver light,
like a sob of sorrow,
one hears its song being sung;
the sweet and heartfelt song
that the whole neighborhood listened to
when silence reigned
in the old mansion.

They say she was the girl from the outskirts,
the flower of that neighborhood loved by a troubadour.
Only for her did he sing of love
beneath her window;
but another love for that woman
was born in the heart of the most famed tough guy
who saw, under a street lamp, in a native duel,
under its weak light, both of them die.

That’s why it moans on nights
of such silent calm,
that song which is the clasp
of that love that passed…
In sorrow, the pretty girl
spread her wings wide open
and with her virtue and her finery
she flew up to heaven.

Duelo criollo by Lito Bayardo

Duelo criollo is a Tango written by Lito Bayardo and composed by Juan Rezzano.



Story behind the Tango Duelo criollo

“Duelo criollo” translates to “Creole duel” in English, a term imbued with the essence of local Argentine culture, indicating a showdown with deep traditional roots. The lyrics tell a poignant story set under a serenading moon, capturing a neighborhood’s collective nostalgia over a love that once vibrated through the quiet streets of an old mansion. The focal point is a woman from the suburbs, adored by a payador (a traditional folk singer), whose serenades were exclusively for her. Yet, tragedy unfolds as another, more formidable lover steps into the scene, leading to a fatal confrontation beneath a dim streetlight, concluding the love triangle in mutual demise.



Symbolism of Duelo criollo

The moon bathing in its silver light symbolizes clarity and truth, unveiling hidden feelings and secrets under its serene glow. The song sung with painful sobs hints at profound heartache and regret surrounding the narrative’s central events. The duel, a fixture of traditional Argentine conflict resolution, represents a clash of passions, each equally fierce and doomed by the onset. It’s a portrayal of how love, when entwined with pride and rivalry, can lead to a tragic end. The mention of the woman’s open wings and ascent to heaven symbolizes purity and martyrdom, suggesting that her spirit transcends the worldly suffering brought about by love and conflict.



Duelo criollo in historic Context

The 1970s in Argentina, a period of intense social and political upheaval, serves as a profound backdrop to “Duelo criollo.” The tango might be using the personal and intimate story of a love duel as a metaphor for the broader societal conflicts occurring. In such tumultuous times, themes of confrontation, love entangled with tragedy, and ultimately, the quest for peace or escape, resonate deeply, reflecting the collective sentiment of a nation fraught with its own duels, be they political, social, or personal.



Lito Bayardo

Lito Bayardo, born in Argentina, is renowned for his poignant contributions to the cultural landscape of tango music through his evocative lyrics and narratives.