Lágrimas de sangre by Roberto Giménez

Lágrimas de sangre is a Tango written by Roberto Giménez and composed by Roberto Giménez.

Story behind the Tango Lágrimas de sangre

The tango “Lágrimas de sangre” expresses a heartfelt narrative of betrayal and emotional anguish. The lyrics encapsulate the profound grief of a person who gave everything—identity, a home, and love—to someone whose return was nothing but betrayal. Phrases like “Con lágrimas de sangre me pagaste” (With tears of blood, you paid me back) depict the depth of betrayal felt. The narrator wishes never to encounter the betrayer again, fearing the obligation to forgive, which is ironically termed “the charity of forgiveness.”

Symbolism of Lágrimas de sangre

“Lágrimas de sangre” or “tears of blood” is a powerful symbol portraying profound sorrow and pain. This metaphor amplifies the emotional intensity experienced due to deep betrayal. The tango uses vivid language to communicate the depth of feeling, with phrases like “Ya sé que no te llegan mis reproches” (I know that my reproaches don’t affect you), indicating an irreparable emotional distance between the speaker and the subject. The constant imagery of tears and blood reflects a grieving process that is both physical and emotional.

Lágrimas de sangre in historic Context

Recorded in Argentina in 1967, “Lágrimas de sangre” emerges during a period marked by political and social unrest. The personal betrayal narrated in the tango could metaphorically reflect broader societal and cultural betrayals. Argentina’s history during this time was tumultuous, with political struggles that often resulted in personal and communal strife. The tango, a dance and musical form deeply embedded in Argentine culture, serves as an expressive outlet for the melancholic and often dramatic emotional states that paralleled the country’s atmosphere.

Roberto Giménez

Roberto Giménez was an influential tango lyricist and composer, whose works capture the essence of Argentine sentiment and heartbreak.