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.
La barranca is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Charlo.
La barranca, which translates to “The Ravine” in English, carries a sense of both literal and metaphorical fall or decline, portrayed through the life of a gaucho living on the fringes in Buenos Aires’ neighborhood of Parque Patricios. The character, adorned in traditional gaucho attire, struggles with personal losses and memories, embodying themes of resignation, nostalgia, and existential pain. The song contrasts his tough exterior with his internal struggle against an inevitable march towards emotional despair.
The symbolism in “La barranca” radiates largely from its title and setting. The ravine (barranca) can be interpreted as a metaphorical descent into emotional depth or a harsh landscape where one’s struggles and failures become evident. Key phrases such as “Con corralera cortona / Y pañuelo volador” symbolize the gaucho’s traditional identity and pride, yet “También su vida es barranca” reflects his overwhelming internal struggles, conveying how his life parallels the steep sides of a ravine, marked by gradual yet significant descent. The repeated phrase “al grito de: ¡Zaino!”, which can mean yelling for the dark horse, possibly symbolizes a cry for help or a release of pain.
The song, recorded in 1959, hails from an era when tango was deeply infused with the sentiments of the urban working class of Buenos Aires. Enrique Cadícamo, using the backdrop of Parque Patricios, a neighborhood known for its industries and working-class populace, reflects the socio-economic struggles and the resulting emotional states that pervade such environments. By this time, Tango had become not just a dance but a medium of storytelling reflecting societal moods, personal anguish, and cultural identity.
Enrique Cadícamo was a prolific Argentine tango lyricist and poet, known for his poignant and evocative lyrics that have become classics in the genre.