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Farolito de papel

Farolito de papel is a Tango written by Mario Lespés and recorded by José Garcia in 1944. The Tango Farolito de papel is written by Mario Lespés, José Garcia has recorded Farolito de papel with the singer Alfredo Rojas.
“Farolito de papel” translates to “Little Paper Lantern” in English. This delicately crafted lantern symbolizes hope and dreams, fragile yet illuminating the path ahead with its soft, flickering glow. In the dance of a tango, it captures the essence of a fleeting moment, where passion and nostalgia intertwine under the gentle embrace of its light.

Tango

Style

José Garcia

Orchestra

Alfredo Rojas

Singer

Francisco García Jiménez

Author

Mario Lespés

Composer

1944/1/17

Date

Alfredo Rojas
Alfredo Rojas
José Garcia
José Garcia

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Farolito de papel recorded by other Orchestras

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Farolito de papel

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

Letra del Tango Farolito de papel

En tus grupos me ensarté

y en tu arrullo me dormí

y dormido me quedé

solo, pato… y hecho un gil.

Esta noche me encontré

la cartita del adiós

en la almohada donde ayer

me juraste eterno amor.

Farolito de papel,

que alumbraste mi bulín

con la luz amiga y fiel

de amoroso berretín.

Otro lado alumbrás hoy,

te apagaste para mí.

Y yo a oscuras aquí estoy,

solo, pato… y hecho un gil.



Solo quedé…

¡Yo no tenía más que a vos!…

Pato… porque

¡eras mi mundo de ilusión!

Vuelvo a prender

el triste pucho del ayer,

para aliviar

esta amargura brava

que hoy me das…



Vos sos linda, vos tenés

pinta fina… y engrupís.

Vos un mundo prometés

y sin dar te despedís.

Vos el traje te adornás

con mi otario corazón,

y los de otros, que al pasar

tu reflejo encandiló…

Pero, al fin, apenas sos

Farolito de Papel

y una noche en lo mejor

chamuscada has de caer.

Cargarás también tu cruz

cuando sepan que tenés

mucho humo y poca luz,

Farolito de Papel…

English lyrics of the Tango "Farolito de papel"

I got tangled in your embrace,
and drifted off to your lull.
And asleep, I was left
alone, out of luck… and a fool.

Tonight, I found
the farewell note
on the pillow where yesterday
you swore eternal love to me.

Little paper lantern,
that lighted my small room
with the loyal, friendly light
of a passionate folly.

Today you illuminate elsewhere,
you’ve gone out for me.
And here I am in the dark,
alone, out of luck… and a fool.

Alone I ended up…
I had no one but you!…
Out of luck… because
you were my world of dreams!
I re-light
the sad stub of yesterday,
to ease
this harsh bitterness
that you give me today…

You are beautiful, you have
a classy look… and you charm.
You promise a world
and leave without giving.
You adorn yourself
with my naive heart,
and those of others, dazzled
by your passing reflection…

But, after all, you are just
a Paper Lantern,
and one night at the height
you will likely burn.
You’ll also bear your cross
when they realize that you have
lots of smoke and little light,
Paper Lantern…

Farolito de papel by Francisco García Jiménez

Farolito de papel is a Tango written by Francisco García Jiménez and composed by Mario Lespés.



Story behind the Tango Farolito de papel

“Farolito de papel” portrays the classic theme of heartache in tango, expressing deep feelings of loss and betrayal. Through the lyrics, the narrator describes the painful realization of having been abandoned by a loved one, using the metaphor of a paper lantern (farolito de papel) to describe both the fragility and the fleeting nature of the relationship. The tango speaks to the surprise and emotional devastation of discovering a farewell letter, evidence of broken promises of eternal love.



Symbolism of Farolito de papel

The title “Farolito de papel,” translating to “little paper lantern” in English, is a potent symbol throughout the piece. Paper lanterns, fragile and easily extinguished, symbolize the ephemeral quality of the relationship and the fleeting light it provided in the narrator’s life. The repeated use of “solo, pato… y hecho un gil” (alone, a fool… and made a fool of) emphasizes the narrator’s feelings of foolishness and isolation. The lantern having “much smoke and little light” at the end further symbolizes the superficial and disappointing nature of the lover.



Farolito de papel in historic Context

Created and performed in Argentina in 1944, “Farolito de papel” was composed in a period when tango was profoundly intertwined with the emotional and cultural life of Buenos Aires. The social and political climates of the time, marked by dramatic changes and uncertainties due to World War II and the lead-up to Juan Domingo Perón’s rise to power, likely influenced the themes of disillusionment and betrayal in the lyric. This backdrop makes the themes of loss and unfulfilled promises resonate more deeply with an audience grappling with instability.



Francisco García Jiménez

Francisco García Jiménez was a prolific Argentine lyricist known for his significant contributions to the tango genre.