Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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 moro is a Tango written by Juan María Gutiérrez and composed by José Razzano.
The lyrics of “El moro” weave a narrative of longing and nostalgia centered around the speaker’s horse, referred to as “mi moro”. This term, translating to “my moor” in English, likely symbolizes a valued and cherished steed in the speaker’s life. The essence of the tango revolves around the loss of this horse, which has deeply impacted the speaker, implying that the horse was not only a companion but a crucial part of the speaker’s identity and freedom. The repetitive lament “A mí nada me faltaba cuando mi moro tenía” which means “I lacked nothing when I had my moor”, underlines the profound sense of completeness the speaker felt when accompanied by the horse.
The tango uses the horse as a powerful symbol of liberty and self-sufficiency. By stating “libre era cuanto quería,” or “free was all I wished,” the lyrics suggest that the horse enabled a lifestyle free from societal constraints—neither the bravest (“guapetón”) could reach him, nor authorities (“alcalde”) pursued him. This relationship emphasizes the theme of liberty, where the “moro” is not only a physical but also an emotional anchor for the speaker. The plea “Indio, volveme mi moro,” calling to the “Indian” to return his moor, highlights a desperate wish to regain not just the horse but the life and freedom associated with it.
Recorded in 1941 in Argentina, “El moro” resonates with a period when personal and narrative-driven tangos reflected broader social sentiments. During this era, Argentina faced various social and political changes, and tangos often encapsulated personal tales of love, loss, and nostalgia, which mirrored the collective emotional state. The specific mentioning of an “Indio” or Indian, typical inhabitants less influenced by European norms, also suggests a connection or yearning for a more authentic, possibly simpler way of living, connected to nature and free from the burgeoning modern restrictions of the city life.
Juan María Gutiérrez, although more famously known as an academic and literary figure in the 19th century Argentina, has been attributed this work, bringing a rich layer of cultural and historical significance to the lyrics.