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El africano

El africano is a Tango written by Eduardo Pereyra and recorded by Armando Pontier in 1966. Armando Pontier has recorded El africano as an instrumental Tango.
“El africano,” meaning “The African” in English, is a vibrant and evocative piece that travels through the rhythms and melodies reminiscent of a distant land. Its notes weave tales of cultural fusion and deep roots, echoing the spirit of a proud and resilient heritage. Through its music, it captures the essence of a journey both timeless and transformative.

Tango

Style

Armando Pontier

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Francisco Lío

Author

Eduardo Pereyra

Composer

1966/12/16

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Armando Pontier
Armando Pontier

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Orquesta Típica Victor – Sin rumbo fijo – 1938/4/18
Orquesta Típica Victor – El rey del compás – 1939/12/12
Orquesta Típica Victor – Si tu fueras mi novia – 1931/8/13
Orquesta Típica Victor – Dónde estás corazón – 1930/4/23
Anibal Troilo – El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1970/8/13
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Ricardo Malerba – Pasado florido – 1945/4/4
Ricardo Malerba – Charamusca – 1943/8/16
Ricardo Malerba – La piba de los jazmines – 1943/1/18
Ricardo Malerba – Oración peruana – 1956/6/1
Ricardo Malerba – Palais de glace – 1944/9/8
Florindo Sassone – Cielo azul – 1974/1/1
Florindo Sassone – Yunque – 1953/4/15
Florindo Sassone – Casita pequeñita – 1979/1/1
Florindo Sassone – Don Juan – 1965/8/31
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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.

El africano recorded by other Orchestras

El africano recorded by other Orchestras

1966/12/16 – Carrousel – Armando Pontier
1966/12/16 – Pimienta – Armando Pontier
1966/12/16 – Una fija – Armando Pontier
1966/12/15 – La ultima curda – Armando Pontier
1966/12/15 – Mi cancion de ausencia – Armando Pontier
El africano – 1945/11/15 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
El africano – 1937/12/14 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
El africano – 1969/8/1 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
El africano – 1978/12/20 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Instrumental
El africano – 1945/12/26 – Enrique Rodriguez – Instrumental
El africano – 1951/11/15 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
El africano – 1966/12/16 – Armando Pontier – Instrumental

Letra del Tango El africano

Fue el más audaz, el último malevo

El que imperó al norte, El Africano,

Varón de ley, que fue como un hermano

Su corazón de guapo y de porteño.

Mozo de cara bronceada

Y de lenguaje sencillo,

Frente al rival, su cuchillo

Supo ventajas mostrar.



En el silencio de las noches de aquel barrio

Cuando la luna por los techos se paseaba,

Con su tristeza caminaba El Africano

Como una sombra que se esfumaba.

Y en el bullicio de los bailes esquineros

Donde el coraje era siempre respetado,

Ningún varón se le animaba a un entrevero

Por que era temple de alma, vida y corazón



Recitado:

Altivo y valiente

Cayó vencido peleando de frente

Con gran valor.

Y una vez más

Confiado en su entereza

Fríamente lo mataron a traición.



Aquella noche el arrabal lloró su pena

Cayó aquel taura con valor y con coraje,

Y en el silencio de la noche, el malevaje

Por vez primera, oyó esta queja:

“Me voy batido por cobarde puñalada

En forma ruin, tan sólo pude ser vencido”,

Cerró los ojos y con su último suspiro

Su débil voz entre las sombras se apagó.

English lyrics of the Tango "El africano"

He was the boldest, the last gangster

He ruled the north, The African,

A man of honor, who was like a brother

With a brave heart, and that of a townsman.

Young man with tanned face

And simple language,

In the face of a rival, his knife

Knew how to show advantage.

In the silence of the nights of that neighborhood

When the moon strolled over the rooftops,

With his sadness walked The African

Like a shadow that faded away.

And in the noise of the corner dances

Where courage was always respected,

No man dared confront him in a brawl

Because his spirit was made of soul, life, and heart.

Recited:

Proud and brave

He fell defeated, fighting head-on

With great courage.

And once more

Trusting his integrity

They coldly killed him by treachery.

That night the suburb mourned his sorrow

That bull of a man fell with courage and bravery,

And in the silence of the night, the thugs

For the first time, heard this complaint:

“I leave beaten by a cowardly stab

In a vile way, only thus could I be defeated”,

He closed his eyes and with his last breath

His weak voice faded among the shadows.

El africano by Francisco Lío

El africano is a Tango written by Francisco Lío and composed by Eduardo Pereyra.



Story behind the Tango El africano

“El africano” recounts the life and demise of a legendary figure from the northern barrios of Buenos Aires, revered as “El Africano”. Described as the boldest and last of the true malevos (a term for a certain archetype of street tough or outlaw in Argentine culture), he was a man who lived by his own code of honor, akin to a brother to those who understood the streets’ unwritten laws. Lío describes him as a man of simple language and sun-kissed face, a feared duelist whose knife was as sharp as his wits. The lyrics speak to a profound sense of loss and betrayal, portraying El Africano’s tragic death as he falls to a deceitful stab in the back, despite facing his adversaries head-on.



Symbolism of El africano

The tango uses rich symbolism to communicate its themes. The repeated references to El Africano’s solitary walks ‘like a shadow fading away’ under the moonlit roofs portray his growing melancholy and isolation. His death symbolizes not only the end of a man but the fading away of a certain valor and code of honor that once defined the barrio. His demise by a cowardly stab in the back serves as a poignant metaphor for the cruel betrayals that can occur in the underbelly of urban life.



El africano in historic Context

Created in 1966, a period marked by social and political turbulence in Argentina, “El africano” might be reflecting the societal shifts and the loss of traditional values amidst modernization and conflict. The tango’s somber tone could be mirroring the collective mood of a generation experiencing rapid changes. The setting in the barrios of Buenos Aires serves as a backdrop, emphasizing themes of loyalty, honor, and betrayal, elements deeply engrained in the Argentine psyche.



Francisco Lío

Francisco Lío, an Argentine lyricist, is renowned for his contributions to the tango genre, capturing the essence of Buenos Aires’ street life and culture through his evocative lyrics.