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El que atrasó el reloj

El que atrasó el reloj is a Tango written by Guillermo Barbieri and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1965. The Tango El que atrasó el reloj is written by Guillermo Barbieri, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded El que atrasó el reloj with the singer Armando Laborde.
The piece “El que atrasó el reloj” translates to “The One Who Turned Back the Clock” in English. This evocative title suggests a longing to recapture lost moments, to pause the relentless march of time and embrace the echoes of the past. Its melody weaves a tapestry of nostalgia, inviting the listener to dance with cherished memories that linger just out of reach.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Armando Laborde

Singer

Enrique Cadícamo

Author

Guillermo Barbieri

Composer

1965/11/18

Date

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

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango El que atrasó el reloj

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

Letra del Tango El que atrasó el reloj

¡Che, Pepino,
levantate ‘e la catrera,
que se ha roto la tijera
de cortar el bacalao.
¿Qué te has creído?
¿Qué dormís pa’ que yo cinche?
¡Andá a buscar otro guinche
si tenés sueño pesao!
¡Guarda, que te cacha el porvenir!
¡Ojo, que hoy anda el vento a la rastra
y el que tiene guita, lastra,
y el que no, se hace faquir!

¿Querés que me deschave
y diga quién sos vos?
¡Vos sos, che, vagoneta,
el que atrasó el reloj!

¿Con qué herramienta te ganás la vida?
¿Con qué ventaja te ponés mi ropa?
¡Se me acabó el reparto e’ salvavidas!
Cachá esta onda: ¡se acabó la sopa!
¡A ver si cobrás un poco impulso,
pa’ que esta vida de ojo no se alargue!
¡Ya estoy en llanta de llevarte a pulso,
buscate un changador pa’ que te cargue!

Si hasta creo
que naciste de un carozo…
¡Sos más frío que un bufoso!
¡Ya no te puedo aguantar!
En la sangre me pusiste una bombilla,
y hoy me serruchás la silla
cuando me quiero sentar.
¡De esta ya no te salva ni el gong!
¡Guarda, que se me pianta la fiera!
Levantate ‘e la catrera,
que voy a quemar el colchón.

English lyrics of the Tango "El que atrasó el reloj"

Hey, Pepino,
get up from the cot,
the scissors have broken
for cutting the cod.
What did you think?
That you sleep for me to work hard?
Go find another crane
if you’re feeling too tired!
Watch out, your future might snatch you!
Beware, today the wind drags low
and those with money indulge,
and those without become fakirs!

Do you want me to spill the beans
and say who you are?
You are, hey, a slacker,
the one who set back the clock!

With what tool do you earn your living?
With what advantage do you wear my clothes?
My lifeboat distribution has run out!
Catch this wave: the soup is gone!
Let’s see if you gain some momentum,
so this wary life doesn’t stretch!
I’m tired of carrying you,
find someone else to lift your weight!

I even believe
you were born from a pit…
You’re colder than a muzzle!
I can’t stand you anymore!
You’ve planted a bulb in my blood,
and today you’re sawing off my chair
when I want to sit.
This time not even the gong will save you!
Watch out, my wild side might escape!
Get up from the cot,
for I’m going to burn the mattress.

El que atrasó el reloj by Enrique Cadícamo

El que atrasó el reloj is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Guillermo Barbieri.


Story behind the Tango El que atrasó el reloj

The lyrics of “El que atrasó el reloj” paint a picture of frustration and exasperation with a character who is seen as lazy and unproductive. The speaker addresses this individual, urging him to get out of bed and criticizing his lack of contribution and drive. The colloquial and direct language reflects a domestic scene, likely between roommates or close acquaintances, highlighting a conflict rooted in disappointment and disillusionment with the other’s inaction.


Symbolism of El que atrasó el reloj

The title itself, which translates as “He Who Delayed the Clock,” symbolizes the central character’s effect on others and on progress—hindering or delaying action or results. Phrases like “¡Andá a buscar otro guinche si tenés sueño pesao!” (Go find another crane if you’re so sleepy) use the crane as a metaphor for assistance, implying the person’s heavy, unmanageable burden. The mention of being out of “salvavidas” (lifebuoys) symbolizes a depletion of patience and resources, enhanced by the invocation of a sinking ship implied in “se acabó la sopa” (the soup is finished), a metaphor for resource depletion.


El que atrasó el reloj in historic Context

Recorded in 1965, this tango reflects the urban life of mid-20th century Argentina where the societal expectations were significantly centered around productivity and contributing to the household or community. This era in Argentina was marked by political instability and economic fluctuation, factors that magnified the importance of personal responsibility and reliability – traits that the character in the song seemingly lacks. The frustration and societal critique voiced could be a reflection of broader societal frustrations during this time period.


Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine lyricist and poet, known for his significant contributions to the Tango genre, often weaving intricate narratives filled with emotion and local color into his works.