Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

El cocherito

El cocherito is a Tango written by Alfredo Attadía and recorded by Ángel d’Agostino in 1944. The Tango El cocherito is written by Alfredo Attadía, Ángel d’Agostino has recorded El cocherito with the singer Ángel Vargas.
“El cocherito,” which translates to “The Little Coachman” in English, is a whimsical dance of melody and rhythm that evokes images of a quaint journey through cobblestone streets. The music captures the essence of a bygone era where simplicity and charm lead the way. As notes swirl like the wheels of a carriage, it invites listeners to dream of adventure and nostalgia.

Tango

Style

Ángel d'Agostino

Orchestra

Ángel Vargas

Singer

Santiago Adamini

Author

Alfredo Attadía

Composer

1944/11/2

Date

Ángel Vargas
Ángel Vargas
Ángel d'Agostino
Ángel d’Agostino

Discover Other Orchestras

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 cocherito recorded by other Orchestras

El cocherito recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El cocherito

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

Letra del Tango El cocherito

Bailando
empezó a vivir la vida
de muchacho paseandero,
bailarín de los primeros.
Gabino,
un mentado cocherito,
que vivía sus andanzas
en el barrio Caballito.
Silbando
noche a noche en una esquina
a la luz de un farolito
esperaba al organito,
y luego
cuando el tango le invitaba
a bailar los entregaba
empleando el corazón.

Bailando en las calles,
llegó el cocherito,
a ser en el barrio
una gran bailarin.
Soñaba los tangos
que el viejo organito
llevaba al suburbio
a hacerlo feliz.
En todos los bailes
que el mozo llegaba,
bailando ganaba
algún corazón.
Su estampa porteña
que tanto gustaba,
por donde bailaba,
recuerdos dejó.

Pasaron
muchos años y una noche,
entre amigos y algo en copas,
el muchacho les decía:
¡Les juro!
que tranquilo moriría,
si bailando un tango un día,
me fallara el corazón.

English lyrics of the Tango "El cocherito"

Dancing,
he began to live life
as a wandering lad,
one of the earliest dancers.
Gabino,
a renowned coachman,
who lived his adventures
in the Caballito neighborhood.
Whistling
night after night on a corner,
under the light of a small lantern,
he waited for the barrel organ,
and then
when the tango invited him
to dance, he gave his all
employing his heart.

Dancing in the streets,
the coachman arrived
to become in the neighborhood
a great dancer.
He dreamt of tangos
that the old barrel organ
brought to the suburbs
to make him happy.
In all the dances
where the young man arrived,
dancing, he won
some heart.
His Buenos Aires elegance,
which was much liked,
wherever he danced,
left memories behind.

Years passed
and one night,
among friends and slightly drunk,
the young man said:
I swear!
I would die content,
if, dancing a tango one day,
my heart were to fail.

El cocherito by Santiago Adamini

El cocherito is a Tango written by Santiago Adamini and composed by Alfredo Attadía.



Story behind the Tango El cocherito

The “El cocherito” tango narrates the life story of a figure known as Gabino, a beloved character in the neighborhood of Caballito. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a young man who lived his life passionately through dance, specifically tango, a popular dance in Argentina. Gabino, referred to as a “cocherito” which translates to “little coachman” in English, was a well-known figure who danced his way into the hearts of the locals. There’s a sense of nostalgia and reflection in how the song details Gabino’s journey, from his youth, dancing under streetlights to his older years, still finding joy and fulfillment in dancing tango.



Symbolism of El cocherito

The tango employs powerful symbolism centered around dance and music. Dancing under the “farolito” (a small lantern) symbolizes light and guidance in the darkness, reflecting how tango served as a guiding force in Gabino’s life. The “organito,” a street organ, represents the traditional music culture that pervades Argentine society, bringing joy and a sense of community. The emotional and physical act of dance in the tango represents life’s journey, with its highs and lows encapsulated in the rhythm of the music. Phrases like “bailando ganaba algún corazón” (dancing won some hearts) highlight how Gabino’s dancing wasn’t just a pastime but a way to connect deeply with others.



El cocherito in Historic Context

Recorded in 1944, during a vibrant era for tango in Argentina, “El cocherito” reflects the cultural fabric of Buenos Aires at the time. The neighborhood Caballito, where the story is set, was a bustling area that likely witnessed the golden age of tango with numerous milongas (tango dance events). The lyrics also subtly hint at the societal conditions—such as gatherings around the organito offering solace and entertainment. Gabino’s declaration that he would die happy “dancing a tango” reflects the intense passion that many held for this dance form during a period when tango was a major part of Argentine identity. Additionally, the references to social dancing as a public affair indicate a communal aspect of Argentine culture during this time.



Santiago Adamini

Santiago Adamini was an Argentine lyricist known for his contributions to the tango genre, adept at capturing the cultural essences of Buenos Aires in his works.