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.
Era de ley is a Tango written by Emilio Falero and composed by Virgilio Carmona.
The tango ‘Era de ley’ sets a narrative immersed in the realms of love, honor, and gambling. The lyrics articulate a scene of a card game where stakes are high, equating the tension of the game with the stakes involved in love and personal honor. The central theme revolves around a romantic dispute, wherein the lyricist and another vie for the affection of the same woman. She tells them that they must compete for her love, but she will not accept violence as a means of resolution. The game thus metaphorically extends to the broader gamble of love and relationships, where much like in cards, one must play wisely and bravely.
The most prominent symbols in ‘Era de ley’ are the card game and the concept of gambling, which mirror the emotional risks and skills involved in personal relationships. Phrases like “Juegue, sea buen jugador” (Play, be a good player) and “Con todo así le jugué” (With everything, I played like this) reinforce this motif, suggesting that navigating love and loyalty requires courage and strategy akin to gambling. The repeated line “Era de ley” translates to “It was the law,” emphasizing a sense of inevitable justice or natural rule in the proceedings, whether in cards or love.
Created in 1928, ‘Era de ley’ was composed during a vibrant era of Argentine tango evolution, which often reflected societal values and the emotional pulse of its people — particularly the working class. This period was rife with political changes and social challenges, and tangos often captured the essence of personal and collective struggles. By setting the narrative in a seemingly everyday scenario of a card game and a romantic rivalry, the tango delves into themes of fate, choice, and moral conduct resonant with broader societal norms of early 20th century Argentina.
Emilio Falero was an influential figure in the world of tango, known for his evocative lyrics that often explored themes of love, betrayal, and societal norms.