Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Guardia vieja

Guardia vieja is a Tango written by Julio De Caro and recorded by Héctor Varela in 1973. Héctor Varela has recorded Guardia vieja as an instrumental Tango.
“Guardia Vieja,” which translates to “Old Guard” in English, embodies the nostalgia of time-worn melodies and dances. This piece, perhaps a Tango, invites us to reflect on traditions and the enduring echoes of the past. As each note resonates, it speaks of heritage, wisdom, and a timeless rhythm that continues to shape the present.

Tango

Style

Héctor Varela

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

José De Grandis

Author

Julio De Caro

Composer

1973/1/1

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Héctor Varela
Héctor Varela

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Rotundo – Justo el 31 – 1953/12/14
Francisco Rotundo – Carnaval (2) – 1953/6/26
Francisco Rotundo – Al fin de cuentas – 1957/1/22
Francisco Rotundo – Alma de loca – 1952/5/19
Francisco Rotundo – Dicha pasada – 1957/7/8
Florindo Sassone – Tango Nocturno – 1968/7/12
Florindo Sassone – La cumparsita (Si supieras) – 1970/4/16
Florindo Sassone – La trilla – 1962/9/4
Florindo Sassone – Coqueteando por la ribera – 1963/1/25
Florindo Sassone – Junada – 1949/7/6
Horacio Salgán – La uruguayita Lucía – 1962/1/1
Horacio Salgán – La luz de un fosforo – 1969/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Loca de amor (La loca de amor) – 211/12/1
Horacio Salgán – Por el camino (Zamba del boyero) – 1954/1/1
Horacio Salgán – El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1965/1/1
Ángel d’Agostino – Mentira – 1945/4/5
Ángel d’Agostino – Yo tengo una novia – 1942/11/17
Ángel d’Agostino – Solo compasion – 1941/10/20
Ángel d’Agostino – Mi chiquita – 1963/5/20
Ángel d’Agostino – Gil a rayas – 1963/5/6

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.

Guardia vieja recorded by other Orchestras

Guardia vieja recorded by other Orchestras

1973/1/1 – Royal Pigall (Que has hecho de mi carino) – Hector Varela
1973/1/1 – Fueron tres anos – Hector Varela
1973/1/1 – Y te parece todavia – Hector Varela
1973/1/1 – Con flauta y guitarra – Hector Varela
1973/1/1 – Asi bailaban mis abuelos – Hector Varela
Guardia vieja – 1985/4/30 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1926/12/28 – Pedro Laurenz – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1944/3/23 – Ricardo Malerba – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1954/9/3 – Alfredo De Angelis – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1955/9/16 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1965/1/1 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1973/1/1 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1926/1/1 – Julio De Caro – Instrumental
Guardia vieja – 1949/11/18 – Julio De Caro – Instrumental

Letra del Tango Guardia vieja

Con mi bagayo de penas

voy rumbo p’al olvido,

con mil recuerdos queridos

que nunca olvidaré.

Y se cruzan por mi mente

las farras y las orgías

de aquellos alegres días

que ya para mi no hay de volver.



¡Decirle adiós

a dichas que viví,

qué triste es!

Felicidad

que nunca más

conmigo tendré.

¿Quién calmará

las penas que dejó

el tiempo al pasar?



Fugitivas horas plácidas

de mi juventud consuelo,

¡hoy que tanto las anhelo,

qué lejos están de mí!

Y en su ausencia, horas trágicas

debo vivir.



Fui bacán y hoy soy pato

mas llevo alta la frente

para el amigo insolente

que el saludo me negó.

Bien lo sé que soy don nadie

no tengo ni pan ni techo

pero guardo en mi pecho

el dolor que el amigo me dejó.

English lyrics of the Tango "Guardia vieja"

With my bundle of sorrows

I head toward oblivion,

with a thousand cherished memories

that I will never forget.

And they cross my mind

the parties and debaucheries

of those joyful days

that will never return for me.

To say goodbye

to joys I have lived,

how sad it is!

Happiness

that I will never

have with me again.

Who will soothe

the sorrows left behind

as time passed?

Fleeting placid hours

of solace in my youth,

how I long for them today,

how far they are from me!

And in their absence, tragic hours

I must live.

I was a big shot and now I’m a nobody

but I still hold my head high

for the insolent friend

who denied me a greeting.

I well know that I am a nobody

I have neither bread nor roof

but I keep in my chest

the pain that the friend left me.

Guardia Vieja by José De Grandis

Guardia Vieja is a Tango written by José De Grandis and composed by Julio De Caro.



Story behind the Tango Guardia vieja

“Guardia Vieja” captures the emotional journey of a person reminiscing about the past, burdened by sorrow yet holding on to cherished memories. The lyrics speak of a path towards oblivion laden with a baggage of grief, indicating a move to leave behind a sorrowful past and yet unable to completely let go of treasured recollections. This Tango adeptly portrays a common human experience of dealing with the duality of past joys which bring present pain, reflecting on both lively festivities and intimate gatherings that will never return.



Symbolism of Guardia vieja

The phrase “Guardia vieja” directly translates to “Old Guard”, symbolizing the old times or past eras that the protagonist is heavily attached to but has been irreversibly changed from. The symbolic journey “rumbo p’al olvido” (headed towards oblivion) highlights the painful yet necessary process of moving on. Recurrent themes include the contrast between a joyous past and sorrowful present, symbolized through the transformation from being “bacán” (a person of high stature) to “pato” (a broke or down-and-out individual), yet maintaining pride and dignity in the face of lost friendships and hardships. The memories are depicted as fleeting yet comforting, now painfully out of reach, portraying a poignant nostalgia.



Guardia Vieja in Historic Context

Written and recorded in 1973 in Argentina, “Guardia Vieja” reflects a period rife with political and social changes. During this time, Argentina faced considerable disruptions, which could resonate with the themes of loss and transformation within the song. The Tango may metaphorically capture the broader societal sentiment of a glorious past juxtaposed with a tough, uncertain reality. The cultural emphasis on nostalgia and dealing with changes during this period is evident in the way the lyrics long for a return of the “plácidas horas” (peaceful hours) of youth, now replaced by tragedies of the present reality.



José De Grandis

José De Grandis was a prominent lyricist known for his deep and evocative lyrics, capturing complex emotions within the traditional format of Argentine Tango.