Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

La cumparsita

La cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1943. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded La cumparsita as an instrumental Tango.
“La cumparsita,” translated as “The Little Parade,” is a tango that sweeps through the soul like a procession of memories and emotions. Its notes whisper tales of lost love and nostalgic moments, marching softly through time. The music paints a delicate picture of life’s dance, where every step tells a story of longing and ephemeral beauty.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Author

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Composer

1943/6/28

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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 cumparsita recorded by other Orchestras

La cumparsita recorded by other Orchestras

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"

The parade
Of endless miseries
Marches
Around that being
Ill
Who soon will die
Of sorrow.
That’s why on his bed
He sobs distressed
Remembering the past
That causes him to suffer…

He left his old mother
Who was left helpless,
And mad with passion
Blind with love
He ran after his beloved,
Who was beautiful, was bewitching
A flower of lust,
Who mocked his love
Until she grew tired
And left him for another…

Long time after
He returned to his maternal home,
To heal his sick
And wounded heart…
And he learned
That his saintly little mother,
Whom he had left
Last winter
Died of cold…

Today alone, abandoned
To the sadness of his fate,
He eagerly awaits death
That will soon arrive,
And amid the sad coldness
Slowly seizing his heart,
He felt the harsh sensation
Of his wickedness…

Among shadows
He is heard breathing
Suffering,
He who before dying
Smiles
Because a sweet peace
Reaches him…
He felt that from heaven
His good little mother,
Alleviating his pains
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,” which translates to “The Little Parade,” delves into themes of remorse, death, and forgiveness. The lyrics tell the story of an individual haunted by past decisions, primarily abandoning his elderly mother (“viejita”) for a passionate love affair, which ended in betrayal and loneliness. The man returns home to find his mother dead and is overwhelmed with guilt as he faces his own mortality. In his final moments, a sense of peace is bestowed upon him as he feels his mother’s forgiveness from the heavens.



Symbolism of La cumparsita

The tango uses vivid imagery and symbolism to deepen the narrative. The recurring symbol of “la cumparsa” or parade of endless miseries encapsulates the protagonist’s continual suffering. This parade metaphorically dances around him as his life spirals towards its bleak end. Another poignant symbol is the representation of his lover as a seductive yet destructive flower, “de lujuria era una flor,” indicating beauty intertwined with moral decay. The use of “shadows” and “coldness” in his heart underscores the isolation and emotional desolation he experiences.



La cumparsita in historic Context

Composed and first recorded in Uruguay in 1916 by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, and popularized in its orchestral tango form in the 1940s, “La cumparsita” has strong cultural roots in the Rio de la Plata region of Argentina and Uruguay. These were times when tango mirrored the sentiments of the people, often touching on themes of love, betrayal, and social hardships. The composition from 1943 overlaid with poignant lyrics, reflects the melancholic ethos and complexity of urban life, especially the plight of individuals facing moral dilemmas and personal tragedies.



Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Gerardo Matos Rodríguez was a Uruguayan musician and composer, best known for composing this globally recognized tango, “La cumparsita.”