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El ciruja

El ciruja is a Tango written by Ernesto de la Cruz and recorded by José Basso in 1967. The Tango El ciruja is written by Ernesto de la Cruz, José Basso has recorded El ciruja with the singer Alfredo Belusi.
The name “El Ciruja,” translated to English as “The Ragman,” paints a vivid portrait of a life defined by scraps and survival. In the dance of forgotten alleys, the ragman collects stories and remnants of lives once vibrant, now whispered in the rustle of old fabrics. His journey weaves a tapestry of resilience, each note a reminder of the beauty found in the discarded.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Alfredo Belusi

Singer

Alfredo Marino

Author

Ernesto de la Cruz

Composer

1967/1/1

Date

Alfredo Belusi
Alfredo Belusi
José Basso
José Basso

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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 ciruja recorded by other Orchestras

El ciruja recorded by other Orchestras

1967/1/1 – A bailar – Jose Basso
1967/1/1 – A mis pagos voy – Jose Basso
1967/1/1 – Amor y tango – Jose Basso
1967/1/1 – Besos brujos – Jose Basso
1967/1/1 – Celeste lluvia – Jose Basso
El ciruja – 1951/12/6 – Carlos di Sarli – Instrumental
El ciruja – 1949/6/2 – Alfredo De Angelis – Julio Martel
El ciruja – 1967/1/1 – Jose Basso – Alfredo Belusi
El ciruja – 1950/3/7 – Francini-Pontier – Julio Sosa

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El ciruja

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

Letra del Tango El ciruja

Como con bronca, y junando
de rabo de ojo a un costado,
sus pasos ha encaminado
derecho pa’l arrabal.
Lo lleva el presentimiento
de que, en aquel potrerito,
no existe ya el bulincito
que fue su único ideal.

Recordaba aquellas horas de garufa
cuando minga de laburo se pasaba,
meta punguia, al codillo escolaseaba
y en los burros se ligaba un metejón;
cuando no era tan junao por los tiras,
la lanceaba sin tener el manyamiento,
una mina le solfeaba todo el vento
y jugó con su pasión.

Era un mosaico diquero
que yugaba de quemera,
hija de una curandera,
mechera de profesión;
pero vivía engrupida
de un cafiolo vidalita
y le pasaba la guita
que le shacaba al matón.

Frente a frente, dando muestras de coraje,
los dos guapos se trenzaron en el bajo,
y el ciruja, que era listo para el tajo,
al cafiolo le cobró caro su amor.

Hoy, ya libre’e la gayola y sin la mina,
campaneando un cacho’e sol en la vedera,
piensa un rato en el amor de su quemera
y solloza en su dolor.

English lyrics of the Tango "El ciruja"

With anger, and glancing
from the corner of his eye aside,
he has directed his steps
straight to the outskirts.
He is led by the premonition
that in that little field,
the little place no longer exists
that was his only ideal.

He remembered those hours of fun
when without a care for work he lived,
busy pickpocketing, skirting the dice game
and in the races, he fell hard;
when he was not so well-known by the cops,
he hustled without any caution,
a girl whispered all the secrets in his ear
and she played with his passion.

She was a chic mosaic
who worked as a maid,
daughter of a healer,
a professional pickpocket;
but she was duped
by a fancy pimp
and she handed over the money
that she stole from the thug.

Face to face, showing courage,
the two toughs clashed in the slums,
and the streetwise, who was sharp with the knife,
made the pimp dearly pay for his love.

Now, free from the cage and without the girl,
scouting a bit of sun on the sidewalk,
he thinks for a while about the love of his maid
and sobs in his pain.

El ciruja by Alfredo Marino

El ciruja is a Tango written by Alfredo Marino and composed by Ernesto de la Cruz.


Story behind the Tango El ciruja

The lyrics of “El ciruja” depict the poignant narrative of a man returning to his old neighborhood, only to realize that his past life, including his home and love, are now gone. This tango portrays deep emotions of loss, nostalgia, and the harsh realities of a life once lived on the outskirts of societal norms.


Symbolism of El ciruja

The term “ciruja” in Argentine slang refers to someone who collects discarded items, often seen as a marginalized figure. Symbolically, the main character of the tango embodies both physical and emotional aspects of scavenging—recalling his past, collecting memories and lost feelings. Phrases like “sus pasos ha encaminado derecho pa’l arrabal” (he directed his steps straight to the outskirts) and “Hoy, ya libre’e la gayola y sin la mina” (Today, now free from jail and without the girl) underline the themes of returning and longing. Moreover, his confrontation with a rival over a romantic interest reflects his struggle to reclaim what he perceives as rightfully his, both in love and in life.


El ciruja in historic Context

“El ciruja” was recorded in 1967, a period in Argentina marked by social and political unrest. The historical context intensifies the themes of the song, as it reflects the lives of individuals on the fringe of society during a tumultuous era. The setting in the “arrabal” (outskirts) of Buenos Aires is a significant locale, often representing the less affluent and more bohemian lifestyle, thereby resonating with the strife and marginalization expressed in the lyrics.


Alfredo Marino

Alfredo Marino was a noted Argentine lyricist whose works often delved into themes of love, sorrow, and the harsh realities of urban life.