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El agente de la esquina

El agente de la esquina is a Tango written by Raúl Portolés Peralta and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1952. The Tango El agente de la esquina is written by Raúl Portolés Peralta, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded El agente de la esquina with the singer Armando Laborde.
“The Agent on the Corner” (“El agente de la esquina”) whispers tales of shadowy streets and secrets kept beneath the glow of flickering lampposts. In its notes, one might hear the cautious steps of a watchful guardian who sees all yet remains unseen. This tango dances with the mysteries of urban life, telling stories of vigilance and silent understanding.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Armando Laborde

Singer

Julio Burón

Author

Raúl Portolés Peralta

Composer

1952/8/13

Date

Armando Laborde
Armando Laborde
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango El agente de la esquina

This is the translation of the Tango “El agente de la esquina” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “El agente de la esquina” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango El agente de la esquina

Recitado:

Yo soy Lisandro Medina

El agente de la esquina,

Cuya alegría mayor

Es decirle al superior:

“Señor, en esta parada

nunca ha ocurrido nada

desde que la atiendo yo”



Muchachos… Lisandro Medina

Se llama el agente que conocí,

Señor de la calle, su esquina

Fue nido de guapos como otra no vi.

Sereno en las grescas y en las tremolinas

Impuso respeto su estampa viril,

Por eso al agente Medina

Cien calles porteñas le cantan así:



Fuiste hermano del perro y del purrete

Y la mano que al ciego se ofreció,

Y el amigo que una noche de desvelo

La furia de los celos contuvo y desarmó.

De unos ojos de sombra y terciopelo…

Fue la luz que tus guardias alumbró…

Dios quiso más estrellas para el cielo

Y al filo de una aurora, tu estrella se llevó.



Alumbra las calles vecinas

La luz de una luna sentimental,

Y solo, parado en la esquina

Lisandro Medina parece soñar…

Despiertan su sueño pitadas de ronda

Y el toque de alerta que viene y se va,

Parece llorar en las sombras

La ausencia de aquella que no volverá.

English lyrics of the Tango "El agente de la esquina"

Recited:

I am Lisandro Medina

The agent on the corner,

Whose greatest joy

Is to tell his superior:

“Sir, at this stop

nothing has ever happened

since I’ve been in charge.”

Boys… Lisandro Medina

Is the name of the agent I met,

Lord of the street, his corner

Was a nest of brave men like no other.

Calm in brawls and tumults

His virile presence commanded respect,

That’s why to agent Medina

A hundred city streets sing like this:

You were a brother to the dog and the urchin

And the hand that offered itself to the blind,

And the friend who one night of wakefulness

Contained and disarmed the fury of jealousy.

From eyes of shadow and velvet…

Your guard shifts were lit…

God wanted more stars for heaven

And at the dawn’s edge, He took your star.

The light of a sentimental moon

Illuminates the neighboring streets,

And alone, standing on the corner

Lisandro Medina seems to dream…

His dream is awakened by patrol horns

And the alert signal that comes and goes,

It seems to weep in the shadows

The absence of the one who will not return.

El agente de la esquina by Julio Burón

El agente de la esquina is a Tango written by Julio Burón and composed by Raúl Portolés Peralta.



Story behind the Tango El agente de la esquina

The lyrics of “El agente de la esquina” introduce us to Lisandro Medina, a police officer whose primary satisfaction comes from affirming that his watch remains uneventful. The tango unfolds as a narrative tribute, illustrating his life, virtues, and his relationship with the neighborhood. Describing him as a guardian and a friend, the lyrics capture echoes of affection and respect from the community towards Lisandro. The conclusion, marked by a sorrowful recognition of his passing, elevates him from a mere municipal servant to a cherished local figure whose legacy illuminates the corner he once guarded.



Symbolism of El agente de la esquina

The lyrics are rich with symbolism. Lisandro Medina, the ‘agent of the corner,’ symbolizes more than just a police officer; he is a guardian and protector of the community’s morals and safety. Phrases like “Dios quiso más estrellas para el cielo” suggest his ascension to heaven, reflecting the belief that good deeds do not go unrecognized, even in death. His character is portrayed as a beacon of light in the darkness, a theme amplified by the poetic contrast between the metaphorical light he provided and the ‘sentimental moonlight’ that follows his absence.



El agente de la esquina in historic Context

Recorded and possibly written around 1952, “El agente de la esquina” emerges in a post-World War II context where Buenos Aires, along with much of Argentina, was undergoing significant political and social changes. The yearning for a simpler, more orderly time might be reflected through the figure of Lisandro Medina, whose character represents a paragon of public service and communal integrity. This tango could be seen as a reflective piece longing for stability and heroes in ordinary lives amidst societal transformations.



Julio Burón

Julio Burón was a passionate tango lyricist, notable for capturing complex emotions and depicting detailed urban narratives within his works.