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La cumparsita

La cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez and recorded by Roberto Firpo in 1928. Roberto Firpo has recorded La cumparsita as an instrumental Tango.
“La Cumparsita,” meaning “The Little Parade” in English, captures the essence of a fleeting procession through life’s colorful tapestry. This tango envelops listeners in a tapestry of longing and nostalgia, as if each instrument steps in line, tracing memories of love and loss. The melody sways like a procession of emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the heart.

Tango

Style

Roberto Firpo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Author

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Composer

1928/1/11

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Roberto Firpo
Roberto Firpo

Discover Other Orchestras

Julio De Caro – Aunque no quieras – 1930/1/1
Julio De Caro – Mala pata – 1936/3/13
Julio De Caro – Beatriz – 1942/1/1
Julio De Caro – Chiclana – 1950/9/11
Julio De Caro – Recuerdo – 1952/7/17
Florindo Sassone – La cumparsita – 1966/3/21
Florindo Sassone – Escuche mi violeta – 1974/1/1
Florindo Sassone – La otra mama – 1952/10/9
Florindo Sassone – Canaro – 1956/2/29
Florindo Sassone – Yira yira – 1966/3/15
Héctor Varela – Como tu cariño – 1954/11/25
Héctor Varela – Don Esteban – 1957/4/22
Héctor Varela – Milonga de barrio – 1975/1/1
Héctor Varela – Royal Pigall (Qué has hecho de mi cariño) – 1973/1/1
Héctor Varela – Yo te canto Buenos Aires – 1959/4/29
Juan D’Arienzo – Milonga del recuerdo – 1939/7/17
Juan D’Arienzo – Ana Maria – 1944/5/17
Juan D’Arienzo – Ay Aurora – 1939/11/14
Juan D’Arienzo – Quemá esas cartas – 1960/9/7
Juan D’Arienzo – Armenonville – 1970/8/21

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 cumparsita recorded by other Orchestras

La cumparsita recorded by other Orchestras

1928/1/11 – Cuando llora la milonga – Roberto Firpo
1928/1/11 – Chichito mio – Roberto Firpo
1928/1/14 – La gloria del Aguila – Carlos Gardel
1928/1/14 – Pato – Carlos Gardel
1928/1/14 – Dandy – Carlos Gardel
La cumparsita – 1943/11/5 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1942/11/12 – Carlos di Sarli – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1951/7/16 – Carlos di Sarli – Instrumental
La cumparsita – (unknown date) – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1955/6/20 – Carlos di Sarli – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1963/4/9 – Anibal Troilo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1937/12/14 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1951/9/12 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1943/11/23 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1968/9/11 – Cuarteto Anibal TROILO – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1963/12/10 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1971/12/7 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 2015/1/1 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1946/2/8 – Angel d-Agostino – Angel Vargas
La cumparsita – 1964/4/24 – Miguel Calo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1927/5/3 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1943/6/28 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1979/10/30 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1926/11/7 – Pedro Laurenz – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1953/9/22 – Pedro Laurenz – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1942/9/10 – Rodolfo Biagi – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1940/11/18 – Ricardo Tanturi – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1935/5/6 – Edgardo Donato – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1944/6/3 – Alfredo De Angelis – Nestor Rodi
La cumparsita – 1961/8/29 – Alfredo De Angelis – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1953/1/22 – Enrique Rodriguez – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1955/9/16 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1956/7/26 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1961/4/28 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1983/1/1 – Jose Basso –
La cumparsita – 1968/5/2 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1956/11/29 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1954/11/25 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1966/3/21 – Florindo Sassone – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1973/1/1 – Florindo Sassone – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1968/5/30 – Florindo Sassone – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1957/1/1 – Astor Piazzolla – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1951/1/1 – Astor Piazzolla – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1950/5/17 – Osmar Maderna – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1977/1/1 – Enrique Francini – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1928/1/11 – Roberto Firpo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1917/1/1 – Roberto Firpo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1937/7/4 – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1973/1/1 – Francini-Pontier – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1946/12/16 – Francini-Pontier – Alberto Podesta
La cumparsita – 1955/9/13 – Armando Pontier – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 211/12/1 – Horacio Salgan – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1987/1/1 – Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgan) – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1930/1/1 – Julio De Caro – Instrumental
La cumparsita – 1926/5/12 – Orquesta Tipica Victor – Instrumental

Letra del Tango La cumparsita

La cumparsa

De miserias sin fin

Desfila

En torno de aquel ser

Enfermo

Que pronto ha de morir

De pena.

Por eso es que en su lecho

Solloza acongojado

Recordando el pasado

Que lo hace padecer…



Abandonó a su viejita

Que quedó desamparada,

Y loco de pasión

Ciego de amor

Corrió tras de su amada,

Que era linda, era hechicera

De lujuria era una flor,

Que burló su querer

Hasta que se cansó

Y por otro lo dejó…



Largo tiempo después

Cayó al hogar materno,

Para poder curar su enfermo

Y herido corazón…

Y supo

Que su viejita santa,

La que él había dejado

El invierno pasado

De frío se murió…



Hoy ya solo, abandonado

A lo triste de su suerte,

Ansioso espera a la muerte

Que bien pronto ha de llegar,

Y entre la triste frialdad

Que lenta invade el corazón,

Sintió la cruda sensación

De su maldad…



Entre sombras

Se le oye respirar

Sufriente,

Al que antes de morir

Sonríe

Porque una dulce paz

Le llega…

Sintió que desde el cielo

Su madrecita buena,

Mitigando sus penas

Sus culpas perdonó…!

English lyrics of the Tango "La cumparsita"

A parade

Of endless misery

Marches around that being

Sick

Who soon will die

Of sorrow.

That’s why on his bed

He sobs distressed

Remembering the past

That makes him suffer…

He left his dear old mother

Who was left helpless,

And mad with passion

Blind with love

He ran after his beloved,

Who was beautiful, bewitching,

A flower of lust,

Who toyed with his love

Until she grew tired

And left him for another…

Long after

He returned to his maternal home,

To try to heal his sick

And wounded heart…

And he learned

That his holy little mother,

Whom he had left

The past winter

Died of cold…

Now alone, abandoned

To his sad fate,

He anxiously awaits death

Which will soon arrive,

And amidst the sad coldness

Slowly seizing his heart,

He felt the harsh sensation

Of his wickedness…

Among shadows

You can hear him breathe

Suffering,

The one who before dying

Smiles

Because a sweet peace

Reaches him…

He felt that from heaven

His good little mother,

Easing his sorrows

Forgave his sins…!

La cumparsita by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

La cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez and composed by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez.



Story behind the Tango La cumparsita

“La cumparsita” translates to “The Little Parade” in English. It portrays the ultimate procession of days for a man recalling his tragic life. Through the cyclical nature of the parade, he regresses into his past and delves into deep regret. The protagonist laments his choices, particularly the neglect of his mother for a passionate but ill-fated love affair. The visual echoed in ‘La cumparsa’ metaphorically represents the circle of life and the mistakes that rotate in human memory during the final moments.



Symbolism of La cumparsita

The consistent reference to ‘sorrow’ and ‘abandonment’ symbolizes the perpetual burden of guilt carried by the protagonist, contrasted against the parading of ‘miseries’ which symbolizes the public display of his internal suffering. Especially poignant is the imagery of death and coldness, like “de frío se murió,” reflecting the chilling consequences of his choices. Notable too is the transformation at the end, where death brings not dread but peace, suggesting redemption is possible through suffering.



La cumparsita in Historic Context

Written in 1928, during a period where Argentina experienced significant social changes and reflectation on personal and collective identity, “La cumparsita” captures these themes profoundly. It is imbued with the poignant sensibilities typical of the tango, a dance that itself emerged from a blend of cultures and sentiments in urban Argentina. The historical moment is mirrored in the tango’s evocation of both deep personal regret and the eventual communal redemption, suggesting a path to national conscience and recovery.



Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez was a renowned Uruguayan musician and composer, best known for creating “La cumparsita,” one of the most famous and evocative tangos of the 20th century.