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La cumparsita

La cumparsita is a Tango written by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez and recorded by Héctor Varela in 1968. Héctor Varela 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 fleeting moments. The tango’s melody flows with a sense of nostalgia and longing, evoking images of dancers lost in motion. Its haunting notes whisper tales of love and loss, a reflection on the impermanence of joyful celebrations.

Tango

Style

Héctor Varela

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Author

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Composer

1968/5/2

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Héctor Varela
Héctor Varela

Discover Other Orchestras

Domingo Federico – El látigo (2) – 1952/8/25
Domingo Federico – Yo también reí – 1947/6/4
Domingo Federico – El mayoral – 1946/4/24
Domingo Federico – Mi viejo viejo spleen – 1961/1/1
Domingo Federico – Con el mayor gusto – 1949/10/14
Anibal Troilo – El motivo (Pobre paica) – 1970/8/13
Anibal Troilo – Volver – 1970/8/13
Florindo Sassone – Nostalgias – 1973/1/1
Florindo Sassone – Como los nardos en flor – 1963/11/21
Florindo Sassone – Yira yira – 1966/3/15
Florindo Sassone – La última cita – 1949/3/21
Florindo Sassone – Mi noche triste – 1970/4/28
Francisco Canaro – Tus besos fueron míos – 1926/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Oh París – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – La sulamita – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Tierra de mis amores – 1924/1/1
Francisco Canaro – Ave María (2) – 1923/1/1

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

1968/5/2 – A media luz – Hector Varela
1968/4/29 – La ultima – Armando Pontier
1968/4/29 – Si se salva el pibe – Armando Pontier
1968/4/29 – Tierra adentro – Armando Pontier
1968/5/15 – Milonguita (Esthercita) – Florindo Sassone
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 sorrow.

That’s why in his bed

He sobs distressed

Remembering the past

That causes him to suffer…

He abandoned his old mother

Who was left helpless,

And mad with passion

Blind with love

He chased after his beloved,

Who was beautiful, was enchanting

A flower of lust,

Who mocked his love

Until she grew tired

And left him for another…

Long time later

He returned to the 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…

Now alone, abandoned

To the sadness of his fate,

He anxiously awaits death

That will soon arrive,

And amid the sad coldness

That slowly invades the heart,

He felt the harsh sensation

Of his wrongdoing…

Among shadows

He is heard breathing

Suffering,

To the one who before dying

Smiles

Because a sweet peace

Comes to him…

He felt that from heaven

His good little mother,

Easing 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

The lyrics of “La cumparsita” depict a poignant narrative about personal regret and redemption. It centers on the themes of love, loss, and sorrow. The protagonist reflects on his past actions, particularly his abandonment of his ailing mother for the sake of a love affair with a manipulative woman, which leads to deep remorse as he faces his own mortality.



Symbolism of La cumparsita

“La cumparsita” uses several symbolic elements to deepen the emotional impact of its narrative. The “cumparsa,” or procession, symbolizes the parade of endless miseries following the protagonist, highlighting the consequences of his choices. The imagery of approaching death and the reference to the mother’s demise in the cold winter accentuates the themes of loneliness and grief. A key phrase, “Sintió la cruda sensación de su maldad,” underlines the moment of self-realization and repentance, marking a turning point from regret to a semblance of peace.



La cumparsita in historic Context

Originating from a 1968 recording in Argentina, “La cumparsita” reflects the socio-cultural atmosphere of the time. During this period, Tango was not only a dance form but also a vehicle for storytelling, often embodying deeper social issues and human emotions. The themes of familial responsibility, passionate love, and personal downfall resonate with a universal audience while being deeply rooted in Latin American values and struggles.



Gerardo Matos Rodriguez

Gerardo Matos Rodriguez was a Uruguayan musician and composer, best known for composing “La cumparsita,” one of the most famous and recognizable tangos in the world.