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El cantar de aquel malevo

El cantar de aquel malevo is a Tango written by Rodolfo Sciammarella and recorded by Carlos di Sarli in 1930. The Tango El cantar de aquel malevo is written by Rodolfo Sciammarella, Carlos di Sarli has recorded El cantar de aquel malevo with the singer Santiago Devincenzi.
“El cantar de aquel malevo,” which translates to “The Song of That Ruffian,” invites listeners into a world painted with shadows and passion. The name evokes the gritty charm and fierce spirit of Buenos Aires’ street life, where tales of bravado and heartache intertwine. Through this piece, the essence of a bygone era whispers from the alleys, echoing stories of resilience and longing.

Tango

Style

Carlos di Sarli

Orchestra

Santiago Devincenzi

Singer

Andrés González Pulido

Author

Rodolfo Sciammarella

Composer

1930/3/17

Date

Santiago Devincenzi
Santiago Devincenzi
Carlos di Sarli
Carlos di Sarli

Discover Other Orchestras

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Domingo Federico – Me gusta un tango asi – 1947/10/22
Domingo Federico – La noche y marfil – 1946/5/23
Domingo Federico – La milonga de mi amor – 1949/11/25
Domingo Federico – Flores del alma – 1947/6/4
Armando Pontier – Solamente ella – 1968/9/23
Armando Pontier – Cuartito azul – 1962/5/15
Armando Pontier – Un momento – 1969/9/17
Armando Pontier – El entrerriano – 1957/8/9
Armando Pontier – Zorro gris – 1957/9/30
Ricardo Malerba – La piba de los jazmines – 1943/1/18
Ricardo Malerba – Qué tarde que has venido – 1956/9/13
Ricardo Malerba – Embrujamiento – 1943/2/12
Ricardo Malerba – Bailarina – 1958/1/1
Ricardo Malerba – Mariana (2) – 1942/10/5
Julio De Caro – El monito – 1928/1/1
Julio De Caro – El baqueano (El baquiano) – 1927/9/12
Julio De Caro – La polca de los pibes – 1938/1/10
Julio De Caro – Muchachito grande – 1930/1/1
Julio De Caro – Tierra negra – 1940/1/1

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.

1930/3/17 – Rosamel (2) – Carlos di Sarli
1930/3/18 – Aquella loca – Roberto Firpo
1930/3/18 – Como anillo al dedo – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1930/3/18 – Suplica – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1930/3/18 – Tardecita gris – Orquesta Tipica Victor

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El cantar de aquel malevo

This is the translation of the Tango “El cantar de aquel malevo” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “El cantar de aquel malevo” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango El cantar de aquel malevo

¡Con la frente cabizbaja, como en hondas reflexiones,
el malevo, tardo el paso, al cotorro se encamina,
mascullando entre los dientes una mezcla de canciones
que parecen maldiciones al espiante de una mina!…
— ¡Yo, la tuve como “raina”! —con tristeza caturriaba—
¡Y por ella yo me hice, un shusheta de decente,
por creerla santa y buena que en mi alma la llevaba,
y el amor que le tenía lo hizo mugre la indecente!…

El malevo llega triste al bulín abandonado,
como campo desvastado por furioso vendaval
y contempla con el ansia de su ser emocionado,
en un clavo mal colgado un vestido de percal…
Lo acaricia lentamente con el alma atribulada,
¡Oh, mi amigo, también tiene su sufrir el arrabal!…
Y lo besa amargamente, con su pena más callada,
de dos lágrimas que ruedan por los pliegues del percal.

¡Yo que siempre la llevaba como flor prendida al brazo
con orgullo del que lleva un bagallo muy debute!…
¡Oh, jue perra! ¡Fue muy duro, muy terrible el esquinazo
de amurarme su cariño, por un rico farabute!…
¡Como vaina pa’ la faca le era fiel a la minusa
que llegó con sus amores achurarme el corazón,
y la pena que me mata a mi vida espirajusa,
por la herida que ha dejado el puñal de su traición!

Mas de pronto cual si fuera su sufrir un rudo ultraje
al vestido lo descuelga y lo tira contra el suelo
y con rabia pisotea de la ingrata aquellos trapos,
maldiciendo sus amores con horrible desconsuelo,
hasta que la angustia ahora sus brutales sentimientos.
Y el cariño hacia la mala sobrepónese al dolor;
cae al suelo de rodillas y abrazándose al vestido
con sus besos doloridos pide a la ingrata perdón.

English lyrics of the Tango "El cantar de aquel malevo"

With a bowed head, as if in deep reflections,
The tough guy, slow in step, heads to his hideout,
Muttering between his teeth a mix of songs
That sound like curses at the sight of a girl passing by!
— “I had her as a queen!” —he lamented sadly—
And for her, I became a decent dandy,
Believing she was pure and good, I carried her in my soul,
And the love I had for her, the shameless one turned filthy!

The tough guy arrives sad at the abandoned room,
Like a field ravaged by a furious storm,
And he gazes with the yearning of his emotional being
At a dress hanging poorly on a nail…
He caresses it slowly with his troubled soul,
Oh, my friend, the slum has its own sufferings too!
And he kisses it bitterly, with his quietest sorrow,
Two tears that roll down the folds of the fabric.

I who always wore her like a flower pinned to my arm
With the pride of one who has a truly stunning woman!
Oh, she was a witch! It was so hard, a terrible shock,
That she deserted my love, for a wealthy swindler!
Like a sheath to the knife, I was faithful to the girl
Who, with her affection, came to stab my heart,
And the pain that kills my ragged life,
From the wound left by the dagger of her betrayal!

But suddenly, as if his suffering was a harsh insult,
He takes the dress down and throws it to the ground,
And with rage, tramples on the ungrateful one’s rags,
Cursing her love with terrible despair,
Until now anguish overpowers his brutal feelings.
And love for the wicked one overcomes the pain;
He falls to the ground on his knees and embraces the dress,
With his anguished kisses, asks the ungrateful one for pardon.

El cantar de aquel malevo by Rodolfo Sciammarella

El cantar de aquel malevo is a Tango written by (author not specified) and composed by Rodolfo Sciammarella.

Story behind the Tango El cantar de aquel malevo

“El cantar de aquel malevo” tells the story of a man deeply wounded by love and betrayal. The narrative is steeped in the anguish and disillusionment of a malevo—a figure often found in tangos as a rough, streetwise character. He reflects on his past, lamenting the faith he placed in a woman who proved treacherous. Through vivid imagery and poignant emotion, the tango captures his heartbreak and the complex mingling of love and sorrow, ultimately culminating in a plea for forgiveness.

Symbolism of El cantar de aquel malevo

The song employs rich symbolism, particularly in the recurring motif of clothing. The “vestido de percal” (percale dress) symbolizes the presence and betrayal of the woman, as well as the man’s longing and heartbreak. The poignant act of the malevo kissing the dress, followed by his violent stomping of it, represents the tension between love and anger. Crucial phrases like “fue muy duro, muy terrible el esquinazo” (it was very hard, very terrible the blow) highlight the depth of his emotional conflict. The dress becomes a proxy for the man’s emotional turmoil, serving as both a cherished memento and a reminder of betrayal.

El cantar de aquel malevo in historic Context

Written in 1930, “El cantar de aquel malevo” emerges against the backdrop of Buenos Aires, Argentina—a city teeming with cultural and socio-economic transformations. The tango encapsulates the theme of urban life and emotional intensity characteristic of the era. Buenos Aires, with its vibrant neighborhoods, serves as the ideal setting for a narrative steeped in love, betrayal, and the downfall of a malevo. The characters and emotional undertones presented are reflective of the gritty, multifaceted, and complex everyday life in early 20th-century Argentina.

Rodolfo Sciammarella

Rodolfo Sciammarella was a significant composer in the Argentine tango scene, known for his contributions to the genre during its golden age. His compositions often marry emotional depth with melodic richness, exemplifying the evocative power of tango music.