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La puñalada

La puñalada is a Milonga written by Pintín Castellanos and recorded by Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) in 1987. Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) has recorded La puñalada as an instrumental Milonga.
“La puñalada,” translated as “The Stab,” evokes a sudden and piercing emotion akin to the sharp, unexpected thrust of a dagger. This piece of music captures the raw intensity and passion, mirrored in the swift, decisive moments of life and love. Its haunting melodies weave a tale of betrayal and longing, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.

Milonga

Style

Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Celedonio Flores

Author

Pintín Castellanos

Composer

1987/1/1

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

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La puñalada recorded by other Orchestras

La puñalada recorded by other Orchestras

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"

Lying are those who know

that a brave rogue,

with gall

and well-established fame

in the Palermo neighborhood,

one day fell

strutting arrogantly

into a dance

where there were

tough guys

ready for a knife fight.

They began to look at him

with a conceited air,

but the young man, without flinching,

leaned against a door.

He let them gloat.

He let them talk.

And to avoid a fight

he had to endure.

But the prettiest girl,

the one who was

deep in the soul

of the tough guys,

that night

with her gaze

enticed him

to step out,

to make a show

and risk

his reputation

in a tango.

A great resentment crossed

with another resentment

under the light

of a kerosene lamp,

and a dagger

that splits a heart in two

because that

is what the cruel woman wanted.

Those who saw it tell

that the tough guys

slithered

with their bodies

and eagerly searched

for the rival’s negligence,

and in a break

of the guard

the man 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” tell a dramatic story of a man, known for his courage and well-established reputation in the Palermo neighborhood, who enters a dance hall filled with notable tough figures. The man, although initially tried to avoid confrontation, is provoked and spurred into action by the attention of the most beautiful and significant woman in the room. This leads to a violent confrontation reinforced by the woman’s inciting gaze, suggesting her influence and possibly manipulations in this toxic environment of male bravado.



Symbolism of La puñalada

The title “La puñalada,” which translates to “The Stabbing” in English, serves as a central symbol throughout this tango. It not only refers to the physical act of stabbing that climaxes the narrative but also symbolizes the betrayal and emotional wounds inflicted by the woman’s encouragement of the violence. The imagery of “se cruzó un gran rencor y otro rencor” (great resentment crossed with another resentment) under the dim light of a kerosene lamp vividly captures the moment of escalation, fueled by jealousy and pride.



La puñalada in historic Context

“La puñalada” emerges from a 1987 Argentine tango culture where the depiction of machismo, duels of honor, and the romanticization of barrio (neighborhood) folklores were prevalent. Set in Palermo, a famous district in Buenos Aires known for its vibrant nightlife and history of nurturing tango culture, the song reflects not just individual confrontations but the collective acceptance of such violent ways as methods of solving disputes and proving one’s valor and standing within the community.



Celedonio Flores

Celedonio Flores was an Argentine poet and tango lyricist, renowned for his contributions to the tango genre, encapsulating the life and soul of the Buenos Aires streets in his works.