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La cumparsita

La cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez and recorded by José Basso in 1961. José Basso has recorded La cumparsita as an instrumental Tango.
“La Cumparsita,” translating to “The Little Parade” in English, captures the essence of fleeting yet vibrant moments that dance through time. In its melody, one can envision a procession of memories, small yet profound, moving gracefully across the stage of life. Each note in this tango whispers tales of passion, nostalgia, and the bittersweet passage of time.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Author

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Composer

1961/4/28

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
José Basso
José Basso

Discover Other Orchestras

Horacio Salgán – Ilusión de mi vida – 1965/1/1
Horacio Salgán – La casita de mis viejos – 1957/7/17
Horacio Salgán – La llamó silbando – 1952/4/9
Horacio Salgán – Mano brava – 1963/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Sueño querido – 1961/1/1
Enrique Francini – Qué me importa tu pasado – 1958/3/14
Enrique Francini – Tema otoñal – 1956/11/14
Enrique Francini – La cumparsita – 1977/1/1
Enrique Francini – Alguien – 1956/1/19
Enrique Francini – Bailonga – 1958/3/14
Alfredo De Angelis – Guardia vieja – 1954/9/3
Alfredo De Angelis – Canaro en París – 1976/9/24
Alfredo De Angelis – Un duende nada más – 1960/10/19
Alfredo De Angelis – Cuando llora la milonga – 1952/7/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Seleccion de tangos (de Discépolo) – 1948/6/11
Ricardo Malerba – Ropa blanca – 1943/4/12
Ricardo Malerba – Amor con amor se paga – 1944/6/30
Ricardo Malerba – Siglo veinte – 1945/4/4
Ricardo Malerba – Triste revelacion – 1944/6/30
Ricardo Malerba – Encuentro – 1944/10/16

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

1961/4/28 – Caminito – Jose Basso
1961/4/25 – El amanecer – Jose Basso
1961/4/25 – Yira yira – Jose Basso
1961/4/21 – Mala junta – Jose Basso
1961/4/21 – Tierra querida – Jose Basso
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 procession
Of endless miseries
Parades
Around that being
Sick
Who soon will die
Of grief.
Thus, on his bed,
He sobs distressed
Recalling the past
That causes him to suffer…

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

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

Now alone, abandoned
To the sadness of his fate,
He anxiously awaits death
That shall soon arrive,
And among the sad coldness
That slowly seizes the heart,
He felt the raw 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 Rodríguez

La Cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez and composed by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez.



Story behind the Tango La Cumparsita

“La Cumparsita,” which translates to “The Little Parade,” delves into the deep realm of human experiences, highlighting themes such as guilt, loss, and redemption. The lyrics narrate the tragic story of a man regretting having neglected his dying mother and abandoned her for his romantic pursuits. Unable to cope with his choices, he plunges into a life of misery and eventually returns, only to find that his mother has died of cold, amplifying his grief and leading him to the brink of death.



Symbolism of La Cumparsita

The central symbol in “La Cumparsita” is the repeated reference to “La Cumparsa,” a procession often associated with endings and mourning in Latin American cultures. This procession metaphorically parades the endless miseries surrounding the protagonist. Key phrases such as “Enfermo que pronto ha de morir de pena,” which means “Sick soon to die of sorrow,” and “Por otro lo dejó,” hinting at betrayal, evoke the core emotions of betrayal and irreversible despair, echoed through the melodramatic climax of this Tango.



La Cumparsita in Historic Context

Though largely considered a timeless piece, the specific release date in 1961 underscores an era in Argentina marked by social and cultural transitions. During this time, there might have been a collective reflection on personal values versus social expectations—a theme delicately woven into the fabric of “La Cumparsita.” The narrative serves as a cautionary tale that combines personal loss with moral lessons against the backdrop of familial obligations and romantic entanglements.



Gerardo Matos Rodríguez

Gerardo Matos Rodríguez was a Uruguayan musician and composer, credited with the creation of one of the most famous Tangos globally.