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La gayola

La gayola is a Tango written by Rafael Tuegols and recorded by Pedro Laurenz in 1952. The Tango La gayola is written by Rafael Tuegols, Pedro Laurenz has recorded La gayola with the singer Alfredo Del Rio.
“La Gayola,” which translates to “The Cage” in English, echoes the sentiment of confinement and yearning for freedom. Its notes weave a tale of hearts trapped by circumstance, longing to break free and dance once more. A Tango, it embodies the duality of life’s dance—restrictions of the present against the aspirations of the soul.

Tango

Style

Pedro Laurenz

Orchestra

Alfredo Del Rio

Singer

Armando Tagini

Author

Rafael Tuegols

Composer

1952/9/25

Date

Alfredo Del Rio
Alfredo Del Rio
Pedro Laurenz
Pedro Laurenz

Discover Other Orchestras

LOS SEÑORES DEL TANGO – Milonguero viejo – 1962/10/8
Carlos Gardel – Anoche a las dos – 1930/10/17
Carlos Gardel – Si se salva el pibe – 1933/6/17
Carlos Gardel – La mascotita (2) – 1922/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Haragán (b) – 1929/6/21
Carlos Gardel – Pa’ qué más – 1926/1/1
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Mejor así – 1959/9/29
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – La huella – 1959/9/29
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Papá Baltasar – 1960/10/14
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Mi poncho tucumano – 1959/8/18
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – No no llores más – 1959/6/17
Miguel Caló – A media luz – 1964/4/24
Miguel Caló – Madre – 1956/6/4
Miguel Caló – Canción desesperada – 1969/5/27
Miguel Caló – Sabor a Buenos Aires – 1967/9/12
Miguel Caló – Un tango para la historia – 1958/7/11

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 gayola recorded by other Orchestras

La gayola recorded by other Orchestras

1952/9/25 – Amurado – Pedro Laurenz
1952/9/19 – A tres bandas – Hector Varela
1952/9/19 – Champagne tango – Hector Varela
1952/9/19 – Flores negras – Julio De Caro
1952/9/18 – La casita de mis viejos – Osvaldo Fresedo
La gayola – 1952/9/25 – Pedro Laurenz – Alfredo Del Rio
La gayola – 1941/6/9 – Enrique Rodriguez – Armando Moreno
La gayola – 1957/7/22 – Armando Pontier – Julio Sosa
La gayola – 1962/1/1 – Horacio Salgan – Edmundo Rivero

Lyrics Translation of the Tango La gayola

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

Letra del Tango La gayola

¡No te asustes ni me huyas!… No he venido pa’ vengarme
si mañana, justamente, yo me voy pa’ no volver…
He venido a despedirme y el gustazo quiero darme
de mirarte frente a frente y en tus ojos contemplarme,
silenciosa, largamente, como me miraba ayer…

He venido pa’que juntos recordemos el pasado
como dos buenos amigos que hace rato no se ven;
a acordarme de aquel tiempo en que yo era un hombre honrado
y el cariño de mi madre era un poncho que había echado
sobre mi alma noble y buena contra el frío del desdén.

Una noche fue la muerte quien vistió mi alma de duelo
a mi tierna madrecita la llamó a su lado Dios…
Y en mis sueños parecía que la pobre, desde el cielo,
me decía que eras buena, que confiara siempre en vos.

Pero me jugaste sucio y, sediento de venganza…
mi cuchillo en un mal rato envainé en un corazón…
y, más tarde, ya sereno, muerta mi única esperanza,
unas lágrimas amargas las sequé en un bodegón.

Me encerraron muchos años en la sórdida gayola
y una tarde me libraron… pa’ mi bien…o pa’ mi mal…
Fui sin rumbo por las calles y rodé como una bola;
Por la gracia de un mendrugo, ¡cuantas veces hice cola!
las auroras me encontraron largo a largo en un umbral.

Hoy ya no me queda nada; ni un refugio…¡Estoy tan pobre!
Solamente vine a verte pa’ dejarte mi perdón…
Te lo juro; estoy contento que la dicha a vos te sobre…
Voy a trabajar muy lejos…a juntar algunos cobres
pa’ que no me falten flores cuando esté dentro ‘el cajón.

English lyrics of the Tango "La gayola"

Don’t be scared or run away! I haven’t come for revenge;
tomorrow, precisely, I leave never to return…
I came to say goodbye and take the pleasure
of looking at you face to face, and in your eyes to see myself
quietly, for a long time, as I did yesterday.

I came so together we can remember the past
like two good friends who haven’t seen each other for a while;
to remember those times when I was an honorable man
and my mother’s love was a poncho that she had thrown
over my noble, good soul against the cold of disdain.

One night death dressed my soul in mourning
my gentle mother was called to God’s side…
And in my dreams it seemed that the poor woman, from heaven,
told me you were good, that I should always trust you.

But you played dirty, and, thirsty for revenge…
my knife in a bad moment I sheathed in a heart…
and, later, serene, my only hope dead,
I dried some bitter tears in a tavern.

They locked me up for many years in a gloomy cage
and one afternoon they released me… for my good… or my bad…
I wandered aimlessly through the streets and rolled like a ball;
for the grace of a crust, how many times did I queue up!
The dawns found me stretched out on a doorstep.

Today I have nothing left; not a refuge… I’m so poor!
I only came to see you to give you my forgiveness…
I swear; I’m happy that happiness abounds for you…
I’m going to work far away… to gather some coins
so I won’t lack flowers when I’m in the coffin.

La gayola by Armando Tagini

La gayola is a Tango written by Armando Tagini and composed by Rafael Tuegols.

Story behind the Tango La gayola

This 1952 tango portrays the sorrowful visit of a man to his former lover, shortly before he plans to leave for good. The lyrics begin with a confrontation, not for revenge, but for closure and final farewells. The protagonist recalls a time when he was honorable, cherished by his mother’s love, which he metaphorically describes as a protective poncho against disdain. The turning point comes with his mother’s death, after which his life spirals into tragedy fueled by betrayal and revenge leading to a crime of passion.



Symbolism of La gayola

“La gayola” translates to “cage” in English, symbolizing the prison both literal and emotional in which the protagonist finds himself. He recounts his time in a physical jail brought on by his revenge-driven actions, as well as his metaphorical imprisonment by his past and unreciprocated love. Throughout the song, Tagini uses potent imagery such as the “poncho” symbolizing maternal protection and care, and the “cage” as representation of his entrapment and loss of freedom. Phrases like “muerta mi única esperanza” and “envainé en un corazón” highlight his despair and the irrevocable actions that stemmed from it.



La gayola in historic Context

In 1952 Argentina, the country was under the influential yet also controversial leadership of President Juan Perón. This period, marked by political and social upheaval, might reflect in the song’s themes of despair, betrayal, and social degradation. The tango serves as a vivid narrative that captures the essence of personal downfalls intertwined with a broader socio-political landscape, showcasing the struggle of an individual against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society. Visiting spots mentioned indirectly like the “bodegón” (a kind of tavern), which often functioned as places of communal gathering, deepen the socio-cultural context, emphasizing societal norms and economic hardships.



Armando Tagini

Armando Tagini was a prolific lyricist and poet known for his deep, narrative-driven tangos that often explored themes of love, betrayal, and societal issues.