Duerme mi niña by Víctor Prestipino

Duerme mi niña is a Tango written by Víctor Prestipino and composed by Mario Canaro.

Story behind the Tango Duerme mi niña

“Duerme mi niña,” translated as “Sleep, my girl,” creates a lullaby atmosphere that envelops the listener into a serene and protective world. The song is a tender dialogue, seemingly a parental figure speaking, soothingly ensuring the child of celestial protection during her sleep. As the lyrics unfold, there is a poignant twist where the singer contemplates a future separation and its emotional toll, bringing a sense of farewell that contrasts sharply with the initially soothing tone.

Symbolism of Duerme mi niña

The recurring theme of angels in “Duerme mi niña” symbolizes a protective and heavenly love – pure and unconditional. This imagery along with phrases like “Junto a ti al despertar,” which means “next to you when you wake up,” and the reference to looking towards the sky to see the speaker, embeds a deep sense of eternal watchfulness and guidance, even from afar. The final testament, “No, no quiero que me llores, no,” which translates to “No, I don’t want you to cry for me,” resonates as a poignant appeal to remember joy over sorrow.

Duerme mi niña in historic Context

Composed in Argentina in 1963, “Duerme mi niña” reflects a period of profound social and political shifts. This era in Argentine history was marked by political instability and societal changes which might have influenced the themes of departure and protective love in the song. The tone of melancholic farewell and enduring emotional bond might be reflecting the broader context of loss and resilience among the Argentine people during those troubled times.

Víctor Prestipino

Víctor Prestipino was an Argentine lyricist known for his emotive and rich lyrics that are well resonated within the genre of Tango.