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Galleguita

Galleguita is a Tango written by Horacio Pettorossi and recorded by José Basso in 1950. The Tango Galleguita is written by Horacio Pettorossi, José Basso has recorded Galleguita with the singer Oscar Ferrari.
“Galleguita,” or “Little Galician,” evokes the essence of a cherished memory, like a gentle breeze from the north. It carries with it whispers of rolling green hills and the rhythm of rain on cobblestone streets. Within its notes lie the heartbeats of faraway lands, painting stories of longing and the warm embrace of nostalgia.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Oscar Ferrari

Singer

Alfredo Navarrine

Author

Horacio Pettorossi

Composer

1950/6/27

Date

Oscar Ferrari
Oscar Ferrari
José Basso
José Basso

Discover Other Orchestras

Pedro Laurenz – Mocosita – 1926/11/24
Pedro Laurenz – Desconsuelo – 1940/2/21
Pedro Laurenz – Cuando me entrés a fallar – 1952/6/25
Pedro Laurenz – Sonsa – 1925/7/3
Pedro Laurenz – Amurado – 1947/1/16
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – La tablada – 1968/8/5
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Nocturno a mi barrio – 1969/7/30
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – La trampera – 1969/7/30
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – A Pedro Maffia – 1968/9/11
Cuarteto Aníbal TROILO – Pablo – 1968/8/5
Edgardo Donato – Muchacho de cafetín – 1935/4/4
Edgardo Donato – Para qué – 1939/1/26
Edgardo Donato – Mi Sevilla – 1935/10/11
Edgardo Donato – Mamboreta – 1950/7/7
Edgardo Donato – Por una mujer – 1952/10/18
Osvaldo Pugliese – Canzoneta – 1954/10/29
Osvaldo Pugliese – Festejando – 1961/12/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Que nunca me falte – 1951/12/6
Osvaldo Pugliese – No me pregunten por qué – (unknown date)
Osvaldo Pugliese – Corrientes bajo cero – 1961/6/1

Recommended

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.

Galleguita recorded by other Orchestras

Galleguita recorded by other Orchestras

1950/6/27 – Martirio – Jose Basso
1950/6/30 – Cadenas – Osvaldo Pugliese
1950/6/30 – Por que canto el tango – Osvaldo Pugliese
1950/6/21 – Mi refugio – Horacio Salgan
1950/6/21 – Como abrazado a un rencor – Horacio Salgan
Galleguita – 1965/12/23 – Anibal Troilo – Nelly Vazquez
Galleguita – 1945/11/6 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Roberto Chanel
Galleguita – 1950/6/27 – Jose Basso – Oscar Ferrari
Galleguita – 1959/1/8 – Armando Pontier – Oscar Ferrari

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Galleguita

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

Letra del Tango Galleguita

Galleguita
la divina…
la que a la playa argentina
llegó una tarde de abril,
sin más prendas
ni tesoros
que tus negros ojos moros
y tu cuerpito gentil.

Siendo buena
eras honrada,
pero no te valió nada
que otras cayeron igual.
Eras linda,
Galleguita,
y tras la primera cita
fuiste a parar al Pigall.

Sola y en tierras extrañas,
tu caída fue tan breve
que, como bola de nieve,
tu virtud se disipó…
Tu obsesión era la idea
de juntar mucha platita
para tu pobre viejita
que allá en la aldea quedó.

Pero un paisano malvado
loco por no haber logrado
tus caricias y tu amor,
ya perdida la esperanza
volvió a tu pueblo el traidor.

Y, envenenando la vida
de tu viejita querida,
le contó tu perdición
y así fue que, el mes pasado,
te llegó un sobre enlutado
que enlutó tu corazón.

Y hoy te veo,
Galleguita,
sentada triste y solita
en un rincón del Pigall,
y la pena
que te mata
claramente se retrata
en tu palidez mortal.

Tu tristeza
es infinita…
Ya no sos la galleguita
que llegó un día de abril,
sin más prendas
ni tesoros
que tus negros ojos moros
y tu cuerpito gentil.

English lyrics of the Tango "Galleguita"

Galleguita,
the divine…
the one who to the Argentine beach
arrived one April afternoon,
with no more assets
nor treasures
than your dark Moorish eyes
and your gentle little body.

Being good
you were honest,
but it availed you nothing
as others fell just the same.
You were beautiful,
Galleguita,
and after the first date
you ended up at the Pigall.

Alone and in foreign lands,
your fall was so swift
that, like a snowball,
your virtue dissipated…
Your obsession was the idea
to gather some small change
for your poor little mother
left back in the village.

But a wicked countryman,
mad for not having won
your caresses and your love,
having lost all hope,
returned to your village the traitor.

And, poisoning the life
of your beloved little mother,
he told her of your downfall
and thus, last month,
you received a somber envelope
that darkened your heart.

And today I see you,
Galleguita,
sitting sadly and alone
in a corner of the Pigall,
and the pain
that kills you
clearly reflects
in your deadly pallor.

Your sadness
is infinite…
You are no longer the Galleguita
who arrived one day in April,
with no more assets
nor treasures
than your dark Moorish eyes
and your gentle little body.

Galleguita by Alfredo Navarrine

Galleguita is a Tango written by Alfredo Navarrine and composed by Horacio Pettorossi.


Story behind the Tango Galleguita

“Galleguita” tells the poignant story of a young immigrant woman who arrives in Argentina with hopes and modesty, symbolized by her “black Moorish eyes” and “graceful little body.” The narrative outlines her struggle and decline into the shadows of society, ending up in the nightclub Pigall, a place known in the tango environment for its nightlife and perhaps darker tales.


Symbolism of Galleguita

The core symbolism in “Galleguita” lies in the contrast between the innocence and purity the woman carries when she arrives, and the harsh realities she encounters. The ‘black Moorish eyes’ symbolize a mysterious and exotic beauty but also foreshadow the darkness that will engulf her life. The recurrent mention of April, a time of rejuvenation and spring, juxtaposes her eventual fall, highlighting the tragedy of lost purity and youth. The tragedy is deepened by her motivations—her sacrifices for her “poor little mother” back home, which underscores the universal theme of familial duty and sacrifice.


Galleguita in historic Context

The Tango, created in 1950, reflects a period in Argentina’s history marked by mass immigration, primarily from Europe, in search of a better life. Immigrants often faced harsh realities, exploitation, and marginalization—themes heavily reflected in “Galleguita.” The story not only reveals individual tragedy but also speaks to broader social issues of the time, reflecting the struggles of countless immigrants assimilating into Argentine society, often in harsh and unforgiving circumstances.


Alfredo Navarrine

Alfredo Navarrine was a prominent tango lyricist known for capturing the emotional depth and struggles of the common people in his works.