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El curda

El curda is a Tango written by Francisco Floreal García y José Zas and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1953. The Tango El curda is written by Francisco Floreal García y José Zas, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded El curda with the singer Armando Laborde.
“El Curda,” or “The Drunkard” in English, dances through the air with the sorrowful grace of a lonely soul finding solace in a glass. In its melancholic melody, one hears the tale of a heart seeking refuge from life’s relentless storms. It’s a bittersweet serenade, painting a portrait of longing and fleeting moments of oblivion.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Armando Laborde

Singer

Francisco Floreal García

Author

Francisco Floreal García y José Zas

Composer

1953/9/18

Date

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

Discover Other Orchestras

Alfredo Gobbi – Historia de un amor – 1956/4/16
Alfredo Gobbi – Triste destino – 1954/12/14
Alfredo Gobbi – Como las margaritas – 1952/4/3
Alfredo Gobbi – Que nadie sepa mi sufrir – 1955/6/30
Alfredo Gobbi – El Incendio – 1948/4/13
Héctor Varela – Silueta porteña – 1956/5/18
Héctor Varela – Novia provinciana – 1952/8/21
Héctor Varela – El africano – 1951/11/15
Héctor Varela – Quiero papita – 1959/9/16
Héctor Varela – Pa’ que te oigan bandoneón – 1956/7/22
Carlos Gardel – Flor campera – 1929/7/22
Carlos Gardel – Mi ambición – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – El triunfo (2) – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – El almohadon – 1912/1/1
Carlos Gardel – El rosal – 1932/7/22
Roberto Firpo – Rancho embrujado – 1929/10/21
Roberto Firpo – Perdóname (3) – 1929/6/8
Roberto Firpo – La eterna milonga – 1929/10/18
Roberto Firpo – Carcajadas – 1930/10/2
Roberto Firpo – Los ojazos de mi negra – 1927/10/20

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.

1953/9/18 – El purrete – Juan D-Arienzo
1953/9/18 – Peringundin – Juan D-Arienzo
1953/9/18 – Vas muerto en la parada – Juan D-Arienzo
1953/9/18 – Che
negrito – Juan D-Arienzo
1953/9/18 – Mi parejero – Juan D-Arienzo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango El curda

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

Letra del Tango El curda

¿Qué importa que digan que soy curda viejo?

¿Qué importa que charlen, que borracho soy?

A nadie, a ninguno le importan mis penas,

Ni tampoco a nadie, doy explicación.

De todos, el murmullo yo escucho el zumbido

Pero, francamente, ni cuenta me doy,

Y voy por la vida matando las horas

Con restos de amigos, tabaco y alcohol.



Y en la noche tristona y fulera

Que en algún mostrador deje el alma,

Cuando el cuerpo del curda, esté en calma

No le traiga el chusmaje, una flor.

Ni que venga llorando falsías

Sobre el cuerpo del curda, que inerte,

Si broncando se va de la vida

No precisa consuelo en la muerte.

Y que el resto de amigos que queda

Cuando a mi alma la extinga el veneno,

Con un tango despidan al curda

Pa´ que llegue bailando al infierno.



¿Qué importa que digan que soy curda viejo?

¿Qué importa que charlen, que borracho soy?

Si nadie en la vida me tendió una mano,

Y mi confidente fue siempre el alcohol.

¿Por qué he de confiarle mis penas a nadie?

Ni andar por la vida con otra ilusión,

Que matar las horas entre trago y trago

Que es la vida un tango, machazo y varón.

English lyrics of the Tango "El curda"

What does it matter if they say I’m an old drunk?

What does it matter if they chatter, that I’m a boozer?

To no one, to nobody do my sorrows matter,

Nor do I explain myself to anyone.

From everyone, the murmur, the buzzing I hear,

But, frankly, I don’t even notice,

And I go through life killing the hours

With remnants of friends, tobacco, and alcohol.

And on the sad, ugly night

When I leave my soul at some counter,

When the drunkard’s body is at peace,

Let no rabble bring him a flower.

Nor come crying falsehoods

Over the body of the inert drunkard,

If complaining he leaves life

He needs no consolation in death.

And let the remaining friends that stay

When poison extinguishes my soul,

Send off the drunkard with a tango

So he arrives dancing in hell.

What does it matter if they say I’m an old drunk?

What does it matter if they speak, that I’m a boozer?

If no one in life ever lent me a hand,

And my confidant has always been alcohol.

Why should I share my sorrows with anyone?

Or walk through life with another illusion,

Than to kill the hours from drink to drink

For life is a tango, tough and true.

El curda by Francisco Floreal García

El curda is a Tango written by Francisco Floreal García and composed by Francisco Floreal García y José Zas.



Story behind the Tango El curda

“El curda,” a term roughly translating to “The Drunk” in English, dives deeply into the theme of loneliness, despair, and social neglect. The lyrics speak from the perspective of an individual who is ostracized and gossiped about due to his alcoholism. Despite the whispers and the societal judgment, the protagonist expresses indifference, using alcohol as both a companion and a refuge from pain. This reveals not just his battle with addiction, but also a deeper, unspoken societal issue of isolation and misunderstanding of individuals battling such demons.



Symbolism of El curda

The frequent references to alcohol and the night convey significant symbolism in the song. Alcohol represents more than just addiction; it’s a coping mechanism, the “confidant” for the protagonist, indicating profound loneliness and despair. The night settings in the lyrics suggest a preference for darkness, both literally and metaphorically, a time when the struggles and sorrows intensify and become more palpable. Key phrases such as “Y voy por la vida matando las horas” and “Ni que venga llorando falsías” highlight this ongoing battle with time and the insincerity of societal relationships.



El curda in historic Context

Recorded in 1953, a period marked by significant political and social change in Argentina, “El curda” reflects a society dealing with transition and instability. This era also witnessed the rise of the Peronist movement, which brought about an awareness and focus on the working class and marginalized sectors. This tango, through its portrayal of a marginalized “curda,” subtly critiques the overlook and misunderstanding of society towards its more vulnerable members, giving voice to a sector often ignored.



Francisco Floreal García

Francisco Floreal García was an influential Argentinean tango composer and lyricist, renowned for his contributions to the tango genre.