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Esclavas blancas

Esclavas blancas is a Tango written by Horacio Pettorossi and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1940. The Tango Esclavas blancas is written by Horacio Pettorossi, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded Esclavas blancas with the singer Alberto Reynal.
“Esclavas blancas,” translated to English as “White Slaves,” evokes a haunting narrative within its melody. The title alludes to the hidden scars and silent suffering of those trapped in a world gilded with illusion but bound by invisible chains. Through poignant notes or expressive lyrics, it tells a story of loss, yearning for freedom, and the resilience of the spirit in the face of oppression.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Alberto Reynal

Singer

Horacio Pettorossi

Author

Horacio Pettorossi

Composer

1940/12/12

Date

Alberto Reynal
Alberto Reynal
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

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Esclavas blancas recorded by other Orchestras

Esclavas blancas recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Esclavas blancas

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

Letra del Tango Esclavas blancas

Almitas torturadas,
pobres esclavas blancas del tango y la milonga.
Mujeres infecundas,
¡autómatas del vicio, sin alma y sin amor!…
No sé por qué esta noche
reflejan tus pupilas la pena que te mata
y en cada carcajada,
yo sé, pobre milonga, solloza el corazón.

Tal vez tu propia culpa,
tal vez el desengaño
del hombre que has querido
y hoy para olvidarlo,
emborrachás tu alma
con tango y con champagne.
Pero pensá, milonga,
que hay una criaturita
de manecitas blancas
que en este mismo instante
tal vez a unos extraños
les llamará mamá…

No comprendés, milonga,
que vos pasás la vida en una farsa alegre,
donde se necesita,
para conquistar hombres, eterna juventud.
Pero los años pasan,
dejando sus recuerdos, recuerdos muy ingratos
y cuando vieja y fea
te encuentren tus ‘amigos’,
verás qué ingratitud.

Yo sé que vos sos buena,
que escucharás este ruego
de este sincero amigo.
No sigas por la senda
de fáciles placeres, de tango y de champagne.
Pensá cinco minutos
en esa criaturita
de manecitas blancas,
que en este mismo instante,
tal vez a unos extraños, ¡les llamará mamá!

English lyrics of the Tango "Esclavas blancas"

Tortured little souls,
poor white slaves of tango and the milonga.
Unfruitful women,
automatons of vice, without soul and without love!…
I don’t know why tonight
your eyes reflect the pain that kills you
and in every laughter,
I know, poor milonga, the heart sobs.

Perhaps your own fault,
perhaps the disillusion
of the man you loved
and today to forget him,
you drown your soul
with tango and champagne.
But think, milonga,
there’s a little creature
with white little hands
who at this moment
perhaps calls strangers
mom…

You don’t understand, milonga,
that you spend life in a merry farce,
where it’s needed,
to conquer men, eternal youth.
But the years go by,
leaving behind memories, very unpleasant ones
and when old and ugly
your ‘friends’ find you,
you’ll see what ingratitude.

I know you are good,
and will heed this plea
from this sincere friend.
Don’t continue on the path
of easy pleasures, of tango and champagne.
Think for five minutes
about that little creature
with white little hands,
who at this moment,
perhaps calls strangers mom!

Esclavas blancas by Horacio Pettorossi

Esclavas blancas is a Tango written by an unknown author and composed by Horacio Pettorossi.

Story behind the Tango Esclavas blancas

The tango “Esclavas blancas” brings to life a poignant portrayal of women caught in the entrapments of the nightlife in Buenos Aires, where the glamour of tango and milonga masks deeper pains. Through its lyrics, the narrative provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of these “esclavas blancas,” or white slaves, metaphorically depicting their inner struggles, societal judgments, and ultimate vulnerability. The setting conveys a nightlife filled with superficial pleasures, but underlying it is a plea for introspection and emotional rediscovery. The tango serves as a mirror reflecting the often ignored emotional turmoil beneath the surface glamour.

Symbolism of Esclavas blancas

In “Esclavas blancas,” several symbols enhance the narrative’s depth. The “pobres esclavas blancas” represent women trapped in a cycle of vice and societal expectations, devoid of love and fulfillment. “Autómatas del vicio, sin alma y sin amor” vividly portrays these women as automatons of vice, highlighting their lack of agency and emotional voids. The juxtaposition of “tango y champagne” symbolizes the false veneer of joy and sophistication that masks internal turmoil. The repeated call to “pensá, milonga” invokes an awakening to reality, urging contemplation about the transient nature of beauty and acceptance in the world they navigate.

Esclavas blancas in historic Context

The creation of “Esclavas blancas” in 1940 Buenos Aires is significant. During this era, the city was a bustling hub for tango culture, rife with both seductive allure and the harsh social realities of gender dynamics. The tango speaks to the historical context of Argentina where women’s roles were often confined by rigid expectations and societal constraints. The references to “milonga” and “tango,” cultural staples of the time, accentuate the setting and tone of a city where music intertwines with life narratives. Buenos Aires in the 1940s, with its vibrant yet challenging nightlife, becomes the backdrop against which this story of entrapment and yearning unfolds.

Horacio Pettorossi was an Argentine composer and musician known for his skillful contribution to the tango genre. His work often encapsulated the essence of Buenos Aires’ vibrant yet complex cultural landscape.