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Guardia vieja

Guardia vieja is a Tango written by Julio De Caro and recorded by Osvaldo Pugliese in 1985. Osvaldo Pugliese has recorded Guardia vieja as an instrumental Tango.
“Guardia Vieja,” or “Old Guard” in English, evokes a nostalgic reverence for the pioneers of a bygone era. This piece of music, perhaps a tango, dances with the echoes of tradition, honoring the steadfast spirits who once led with passion and grace. It is a melodic homage to the timeless influences that continue to shape the present.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Pugliese

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

José De Grandis

Author

Julio De Caro

Composer

1985/4/30

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Pugliese
Osvaldo Pugliese

Discover Other Orchestras

Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Ensueños – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Organito de la tarde – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Loca de amor (La loca de amor) – 1964/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Buenos Aires – 1960/1/1
Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – Adiós muchachos – 1964/1/1
Lucio Demare – No nos veremos más – 1943/2/11
Lucio Demare – La casita de mis viejos – 1953/1/27
Lucio Demare – Me quedé mirándola – 1945/3/21
Lucio Demare – Oigo tu voz – 1943/11/25
Lucio Demare – Corazón no le digas a nadie – 1944/8/24
Osvaldo Fresedo – Caminito – 1927/5/18
Osvaldo Fresedo – Reflejos – 1928/2/3
Osvaldo Fresedo – La cachila – 1979/10/31
Osvaldo Fresedo – Guitarra gaucha – 1928/7/17
Osvaldo Fresedo – Se empieza jugando – 1936/12/7
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Nunca tuvo novio – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Rosicler – 1959/9/14

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

1985/4/30 – Calor de hogar – Osvaldo Pugliese
1985/4/25 – Milonga para Gardel – Osvaldo Pugliese
1985/4/25 – Recuerdo – Osvaldo Pugliese
1985/5/21 – Andres Selpa – Osvaldo Pugliese
1985/5/21 – Pa- lo que te va a durar – Osvaldo Pugliese
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’m heading toward oblivion,
with a thousand cherished memories
that I will never forget.
And crossing my mind
are the parties and orgies
from those joyful days
that will never return for me.

To say goodbye
to joys that I lived,
how sad it is!
Happiness
that I will never
have with me again.
Who will soothe
the sorrows left
by time as it passed?

Fleeting pleasant hours
consolation of my youth,
how much I long for them today,
how far they are from me!
And in their absence, tragic hours
I must live.

I was a boss, now I’m a pauper
but I hold my head high
for the insolent friend
who refused to greet me.
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

The lyrics of “Guardia Vieja” depict a poignant narrative of remembrance and loss. José De Grandis takes the listener on a journey through his past experiences, marked by joy and now overshadowed by the absence of those times. The phrase “Con mi bagayo de penas voy rumbo p’al olvido” illustrates a poignant expedition toward forgetting, burdened by sorrows. His mention of cherished memories that he will never forget emphasizes a clinging to the past despite an ongoing struggle to move forward.



Symbolism of Guardia Vieja

Significant symbolism in “Guardia Vieja” is found in the juxtaposition of joyful recollections and present sorrow. The narrative contrasts “farras y las orgías” (revelries and orgies) with current tragic hours, symbolizing the stark difference between the past and present. A powerful motif is the transformation from “Fui bacán y hoy soy pato” (I was wealthy and now I’m broke), representing a fall from grace and the resilience in maintaining dignity despite adversity. This transformation highlights the transient nature of fortune and social standing, central themes in tango culture.



Guardia Vieja in Historic Context

“Guardia Vieja” emerged in 1985, a period of considerable political and economic transition in Argentina. This historical backdrop may have inspired De Grandis to reflect on personal and societal changes, using the narrative as a lament for better days amidst upheaval. The reference to lost friendships and hardships (“el dolor que el amigo me dejó”) could mirror the broader societal betrayals and economic hardships faced by many during this era in Argentina.



José De Grandis

José De Grandis was an Argentine lyricist known for his contributions to the genre of Tango, capturing the spirit and struggles of his culture.