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 paisanito is a Tango written by Melecio Pérez and composed by Pascual Clausi.
The lyrics of “El paisanito” portray a poignant story of love, fortune-telling, and heartbreak. Set against the backdrop of a small town festival, a young countryman (paisanito) encounters a gypsy woman who offers to read his fortune in exchange for a coin. Through her fortune-telling, she reveals that he is loved deeply by a dark-eyed woman, hinting at her own unspoken feelings for him. Despite her confessions and the presence of love, the countryman fails to reciprocate or understand her feelings, leading to the eventual departure of the gypsy woman from the town, heartbroken and alone.
“El paisanito” is rich in symbolic elements that enhance its emotional depth. The gypsy woman’s profession as a fortune-teller symbolizes both the known and unknown in romantic relationships, as she is aware of the love she feels but also the uncertain response from the countryman. The recurring motif of the town festival and the music setting introduces a contrast between the public joy and the personal, hidden sorrow of the gypsy woman. Key phrases like “en sus ojazos brilló el amor” (in her big eyes love shone) and “Tendrás en tu pecho pena porque tu amor no vendrá” (You will have in your chest sorrow because your love will not come) poignantly highlight the mismatched emotions and the deep longing of unanswered love.
Recorded in 1944 in Argentina, “El paisanito” is set during a tumultuous period in Argentine history, marked by political instability and social changes. This historical context might have influenced the themes of fleeting encounters and the transient nature of happiness reflected in the tango. Furthermore, the use of the term “paisanito,” often referring to a countryman or local folk, grounds the song in a specific social class and local color, potentially appealing to a sense of national identity and local pride during a period of national introspection and crisis. It also reflects the nostalgic yearning for simpler times and the rural romanticism common in Argentine culture.
Melecio Pérez is recognized for his contributions to the world of Tango, bringing intense emotion and narrative depth through his lyrics.