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.
Gorriones is a Tango written by Celedonio Flores and composed by Eduardo Pereyra.
“Gorriones,” translating to “Sparrows” in English, captures the everyday struggles and resilience of the lower classes in Argentina. Through poetic imagery, Flores describes the transition from night to day, symbolizing hope and the relentless cycle of life. The sun and moon in the lyrics represent change and constant renewal, contrasting the harsh reality of life’s struggles depicted in the verses following. This tango speaks of the downtrodden who, despite adversity, continue to live with a spirit as free and rebellious as that of sparrows.
The lead symbols, the sun and sparrows, characterize different facets of existence and resilience. The sun is depicted as the warm, hopeful force that comforts the poor, symbolizing a new beginning and the essential warmth of life. Sparrows represent freedom and the indomitable spirit of the Argentine underclass, who, despite being caged by poverty and social inequality, manage to sing joyously. Phrases like “el alma armoniosa de veinte guitarras” (the harmonious soul of twenty guitars) strikingly depict how these spirited individuals carry an internal harmony, rich and unbroken, despite external hardships.
Written in 1942, “Gorriones” emerged during a period when Argentina was marked by political shifts and a growing awareness of social disparities. This tango reflects the everyday realities and emotions of the working class of Buenos Aires, resonating with themes of struggle, communal resilience, and personal freedom. The reference to “las luces del centro” (the lights of the downtown) versus “el suburbio” (the suburbs) portrays the socioeconomic divide, highlighting the retreat of the marginalized to the peripheries of societal focus and prosperity.
Celedonio Flores was a noted Argentine lyricist and tango composer, renowned for his poignant and socially reflective tangos that often portrayed the life and struggles of the urban poor.