Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Galleguita

Galleguita is a Tango written by Horacio Pettorossi and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1965. The Tango Galleguita is written by Horacio Pettorossi, Aníbal Troilo has recorded Galleguita with the singer Nelly Vázquez.
“Galleguita,” meaning “Little Galician Girl” in English, evokes images of a spirited young woman from Galicia. Her essence dances through the melodies, telling stories of distant lands and vibrant traditions. Nestled within the rhythm, one feels her fiery independence and the tender nostalgia of a homeland that whispers in every note.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Nelly Vázquez

Singer

Alfredo Navarrine

Author

Horacio Pettorossi

Composer

1965/12/23

Date

Nelly Vázquez
Nelly Vázquez
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

Discover Other Orchestras

Orquesta Típica Victor – Dulce cariño – 1932/5/3
Orquesta Típica Victor – Tesorito (2) – 1925/11/30
Orquesta Típica Victor – Frenesi – 1941/5/21
Orquesta Típica Victor – Alla en el nido – 1927/11/30
Orquesta Típica Victor – Cantando bajo la lluvia – 1936/5/8
Ricardo Malerba – Qué tarde que has venido – 1956/9/13
Ricardo Malerba – Ninguna – 1942/11/19
Ricardo Malerba – Embrujamiento – 1943/2/12
Ricardo Malerba – Tres amigos – 1944/4/18
Ricardo Malerba – La piba de los jazmines – 1943/1/18
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Homenaje a Pedro Laurenz – 1987/1/1
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – La puñalada – 1987/1/1
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Shusheta (El aristócrata) – 1987/1/1
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – El abrojito – 1987/1/1
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Adiós muchachos – 1987/1/1
Domingo Federico – La cumparsita (Si supieras) – 1961/1/1
Domingo Federico – Qué hacés qué hacés – 1951/8/3
Domingo Federico – Yo también reí – 1947/6/4
Domingo Federico – Percal – 1969/1/1
Domingo Federico – Flores del alma – 1947/6/4

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

1965/12/23 – Un tango para el recuerdo – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Alma de bohemio – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Aqui nomas – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – El motivo (Pobre paica) – Anibal Troilo
1965/12/16 – Las arrugas de mi frente – Anibal Troilo
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"

Galician beauty,
the divine one…
who arrived on Argentina’s shore
one April afternoon,
with no more possessions
or treasures
than your dark Moorish eyes
and your delicate little body.

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

Alone in foreign lands,
your fall was so brief
that, like a snowball,
your virtue dissipated…
Your obsession was the idea
of gathering some money
for your poor little mother
who remained in the village.

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

And, poisoning the life
of your beloved little mother,
he told her of your downfall
and so, last month,
you received a black-edged letter
that darkened your heart.

And today I see you,
Galician girl,
sitting sad and alone
in a corner of the Pigall,
and the pain
that kills you
clearly mirrors itself
in your deadly pallor.

Your sadness
is infinite…
You are no longer the Galician girl
who arrived one April day,
with no more possessions
or treasures
than your dark Moorish eyes
and your delicate 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 Spanish woman (“Galleguita” translates to “little Galician girl” in English) who comes to Argentina in hopes of a better life. However, she faces the harsh realities of exploitation and loss of innocence. The lyric paints a vivid picture of her transformation from an innocent, hopeful immigrant to someone who has endured great hardships, encapsulated in her sitting alone, reflecting her demise in the shadowy corners of Pigall, a once-popular nightlife venue in Buenos Aires.

The narrative is a delicate portrayal of her initial innocence, marked by her arrival with nothing but her “black Moorish eyes” and graceful body, and her gradual descent into despair, driven by external betrayals and personal tragedies.

Symbolism of Galleguita

The use of the term “Galleguita” itself is symbolic, pointing to her origins and her identity, which is crucial to the storyline. The repeated reference to the time of her arrival, “an afternoon in April,” symbolizes a time of year typically associated with renewal and hope, contrasting deeply with the eventual darkening of her life. The tragic change in her circumstances is mirrored by the “black-bordered envelope,” a metaphor for mourning, which brings news of her mother’s death, precipitating her complete emotional downfall.

The “snowball” analogy emphasizes how quickly her virtues were lost in the face of adversity, growing larger and more destructive as they spiraled out of control.

Galleguita in Historic Context

The Tango “Galleguita” was written in 1965, a period of significant social and cultural transformations in Argentina. This era saw a vibrant migration flow, especially from Europe, with many Spaniards arriving, including young women like the protagonist, seeking new opportunities. The historical context of a burgeoning but harsh urban environment (like Buenos Aires) underscores themes of exploitation and the loss of innocence, which were, unfortunately, common narratives among immigrant communities.

The mention of Pigall highlights a real locale known for its nightlife but also its underside, serving as a critical backdrop for the unfolding of Galleguita’s story. This venue symbolizes the darker facets of the city that often consumed the lives of those who ventured there unknowingly or out of desperation.

Alfredo Navarrine

Alfredo Navarrine was a distinguished lyricist known for his contributions to the rich tapestry of tango music, capturing deep emotional and social undercurrents through his poignant storytelling.