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La puñalada

La puñalada is a Milonga written by Pintín Castellanos and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1937. Juan D’Arienzo has recorded La puñalada as an instrumental Milonga.
“La puñalada,” meaning “The Stab” in English, evokes a sudden, piercing pain that resonates through the soul. This poignant tango speaks of unexpected betrayal, where each note slices through the air with sharp intensity. The music weaves a narrative of vulnerability and passion, reminding us of love’s capacity to wound as deeply as it can thrill.

Milonga

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Celedonio Flores

Author

Pintín Castellanos

Composer

1937/4/27

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Rotundo – Muchachos silencio – 1953/1/5
Francisco Rotundo – Sin barco y sin amor – 1955/6/9
Francisco Rotundo – Esclavas blancas – 1950/12/29
Francisco Rotundo – Levanta la frente – 1953/4/6
Francisco Rotundo – Infamia – 1953/4/6
Enrique Francini – Qué me importa tu pasado – 1958/3/14
Enrique Francini – El resero – 1956/1/19
Enrique Francini – A media luz – 1977/1/1
Enrique Francini – Muriéndome de amor – 1956/11/14
Enrique Francini – El arranque – 1970/7/15
Armando Pontier – Saludos – 1960/7/7
Armando Pontier – Quién hubiera dicho – 1955/10/4
Armando Pontier – La última curda – 1966/12/15
Armando Pontier – No aflojes – 1979/6/5
Armando Pontier – Cada dia te extraño mas – 1960/6/28
Julio De Caro – Derecho viejo – 1936/8/10
Julio De Caro – Maula – 1927/3/21
Julio De Caro – Todo corazón – 1924/1/1
Julio De Caro – Aunque no quieras – 1930/1/1
Julio De Caro – La partida – 1931/1/1

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 puñalada recorded by other Orchestras

La puñalada recorded by other Orchestras

1937/4/27 – Homero – Juan D-Arienzo
1937/4/30 – Espana esta de duelo – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1937/4/30 – Noches de invierno – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1937/4/20 – Felicia – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo
1937/4/18 – Farolito – Orquesta Tipica Victor
La punalada – 1937/4/27 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1951/9/12 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1943/11/23 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1963/12/10 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La punalada – 2015/1/1 – Juan D-Arienzo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1950/12/19 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1955/9/16 – Jose Basso – Instrumental
La punalada – 1967/4/18 – Hector Varela – Instrumental
La punalada – 1949/7/27 – Cuarteto Tipico Roberto Firpo – Instrumental
La punalada – 1987/1/1 – Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgan) – Instrumental

Letra del Milonga La puñalada

Mentan los que saben
que un malevo
muy de agallas
y de fama
bien sentada
por el barrio
de Palermo
cayó un día
taconeando
prepotente
a un bailongo
donde había
puntos bravos
pa’l facón.

Lo empezaron a mirar
con un aire sobrador
pero el mozo, sin chistar,
a una puerta se arrimó.

Los dejó sobrar.
Los dejó decir.
Y pa’ no pelear
tuvo que sufrir.

Pero la pebeta
más bonita,
la que estaba
más metida
en el alma
de los tauras,
esa noche
con la vista
lo incitaba
a que saliera
a darles dique
y a jugarse
en un tango
su cartel.

Se cruzó
un gran rencor y otro rencor
a la luz
de un farolito a querosén
y un puñal
que parte en dos un corazón
porque así
lo quiso aquella cruel mujer.

Cuentan los que vieron
que los guapos
culebrearon
con sus cuerpos
y buscaron
afanosos
el descuido
del contrario
y en un claro
de la guardia
hundió el mozo
de Palermo
hasta el mango
su facón.

English lyrics of the Milonga "La puñalada"

They lie, those who know
that a gutsy rogue
with a rock-solid reputation
from the Palermo neighborhood
strolled in one day
swaggering arrogantly
into a dance
where there were
tough guys
ready with their knives.

They began to look at him
with an imposing air
but the guy, without a word,
leaned against a door.

He let them be overbearing.
He let them speak.
And to avoid a fight
he had to endure.

But the prettiest girl,
the one
deep in the hearts
of the tough guys,
that night
with her gaze
enticed him
to step up,
to show off,
and to stake
his reputation
in a tango.

A fierce grudge crossed
with another grudge
under the light
of a kerosene lamp,
and a knife
that splits a heart in two
because that’s what
the cruel woman wanted.

Those who saw it say
that the tough guys
twisted
with their bodies
and eagerly sought
the opponent’s lapse,
and in a moment
of lowered guard,
the guy from Palermo
plunged his knife
all the way in.

La puñalada by Celedonio Flores

La puñalada is a Tango written by Celedonio Flores and composed by Pintín Castellanos.

Story behind the Tango La puñalada

The lyrics of “La puñalada” narrate the tale of a fearless and well-known man from the Palermo neighborhood who steps into a dance filled with dangerous rivals. Despite his initial restraint, urged by the enticement of a beautiful woman, he gives in to confrontation, ultimately leading to a tragic stabbing under the dim light of a kerosene lamp. This story encapsulates the tragic consequences of pride, love, and jealousy.

Symbolism of La puñalada

The symbolism in “La puñalada” revolves around the title itself, which translates to “The Stabbing.” This is a direct reference to the fatal outcome of the protagonist’s actions, symbolizing betrayal and the fatal impact of love and honor in the machismo culture. The kerosene lamp casts a dim light on the event, underscoring the shadowy and grave nature of the actions that unfold, while the seductive gaze of the woman symbolizes temptation and the catalyst for the disaster.

La puñalada in historic Context

The Milonga titled “La puñalada” was recorded in 1937 in Argentina, a period marked by political and social upheaval. The themes of honor, jealousy, and violent resolution of disputes reflect the intense and often perilous social dynamics of that era in Buenos Aires. This period also saw tango evolve into a form of artistic expression that mirrored the everyday lives of the people, often capturing raw emotions and dramatic episodes similar to those described in the lyrics.

Celedonio Flores

Celedonio Flores was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist known for his vivid portrayals of urban life and the complex passions of ordinary people.