Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

La carreta

La carreta is a Tango written by José Servidio and recorded by Héctor Varela in 1951. The Tango La carreta is written by José Servidio, Héctor Varela has recorded La carreta with the singer Armando Laborde.
“La carreta,” which translates to “The Cart” in English, evokes the rhythmic creak and sway of a journey through life’s rugged paths. It speaks to the weight we all pull, the burdens and memories that roll with us. Like the tango, it weaves a tale of passion and resilience, where every note whispers stories of endurance and hope.

Tango

Style

Héctor Varela

Orchestra

Armando Laborde

Singer

Francisco García Jiménez

Author

José Servidio

Composer

1951/11/15

Date

Armando Laborde
Armando Laborde
Héctor Varela
Héctor Varela

Discover Other Orchestras

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.

La carreta recorded by other Orchestras

La carreta recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango La carreta

This is the translation of the Tango “La carreta” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “La carreta” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango La carreta

Rodando por el llano

va la carreta de lerdo paso;

vieja carreta que aguanta al raso

lluvia de invierno, sol de verano.

Con su apagado pucho en la boca

el carretero de un lado avanza,

y de cuando en cuando toca

el clavo alerta de la picana

la yunta pesada y mansa…

mientras, vibrante, lanza al viento esta canción:



¿Dónde vas, Golondrina?

¿Dónde vas, Picaflor?

Si la ves a mi china

recordale mi amor…

Van mis bueyes al tranco

y mi overo es sobón;

pa’ que vuele a mi rancho

te daré el corazón.

Por el llano se aleja

el carrero cantor,

del clavel en la oreja

y del pucho cortón.

La carreta cansina,

del quebrado rumor,

con su buey Golondrina

y su buey Picaflor…



Mi vida es la carreta,

que en tanto bache de mala suerte

va dando tumbos rumbo a la muerte.

Yo, el carretero que no sujeta,

cruzo los pagos de mi destino

junto a la huella de mi carreta

y hago cantando el camino…

¡Tanto he sufrido que soy baqueano!

y al paso del buey maceta

alegre o triste siempre tengo una canción…

English lyrics of the Tango "La carreta"

Rolling across the plains

goes the wagon at a slow pace;

old wagon enduring under the sky

winter rain, summer sun.

With his dull stump in his mouth

the carter advances to one side,

and every now and then touches

the alert nail of the prod

the heavy and gentle oxen…

meanwhile, vibrantly, he throws into the wind this song:

Where are you going, Swallow?

Where are you going, Hummingbird?

If you see my girl

remind her of my love…

My oxen walk at a pace

and my gray horse is a nagger;

for her to fly to my ranch

I will give you my heart.

Across the plain moves away

the singing carter,

with a carnation in the ear

and a short stump.

The weary wagon,

of broken rumor,

with its ox Swallow

and its ox Hummingbird…

My life is the wagon,

that in so much pothole of bad luck

keeps stumbling towards death.

I, the carter who does not hold back,

cross the lands of my fate

next to the track of my wagon

and singing make my way…

I have suffered so much that I am experienced!

and at the pace of the slow ox

sad or happy I always have a song…

La carreta by Francisco García Jiménez

La carreta is a Tango written by Francisco García Jiménez and composed by José Servidio.

Story behind the Tango La carreta

“La carreta” tells the tale of an arduous journey through life symbolized by the passage of a heavy, slow-moving cart through the plains. The carter, braving harsh weather conditions and relentless hardships, reflects the resilience and enduring spirit typical of many who faced constant struggles. Each verse carries the weight of life’s challenges, yet there’s an undercurrent of resolve in the carter’s song, illustrating his unbroken desire to proceed despite adversities.



Symbolism of La carreta

The central symbolism in “La carreta” is the cart itself, representing life’s journey with its slow, labored movements, indicative of the challenges and slow progress we often face. The oxen named Golondrina (Swallow) and Picaflor (Hummingbird) symbolize aspirations and the fleeting beauty of life. The repeated references to nature elements like the plains and the seasonal weather shifts reflect the universal cycles of hardship and ease. The oxen’s names also suggest a delicate freedom juxtaposed against the grueling reality of the cart’s journey, enhancing the portrait of life’s poignant contrasts.



La carreta in historic Context

Authored in 1951 by Francisco García Jiménez, “La carreta” emerged in a post-World War II era marked by significant political and social changes in Argentina. These were times of economic instability and social unrest, and the tango might be seen as reflective of the common man’s enduring struggles against ongoing societal and personal adversities. The imagery of struggle against the elements and heavy labor likely resonated deeply with an Argentinian populace facing uncertainties about the future and nostalgia for simpler, albeit hard, past times.



Francisco García Jiménez

Francisco García Jiménez was a noted Argentine lyricist renowned for his contributions to the genre of tango, capturing deep emotional and societal themes through his poignant lyrics.