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Lechuza

Lechuza is a Tango written by Alfredo Navarrine and recorded by Roberto Firpo in 1928. The Tango Lechuza is written by Alfredo Navarrine, Roberto Firpo has recorded Lechuza with the singer Teófilo Ibáñez.
“Lechuza” translates to “Owl” in English, evoking the mystique and wisdom held deep within the night. In this musical piece, each note mimics the gentle whisper of wings slicing through the moonlit air, inviting the listener into a shadowy dance. With every chord, “Lechuza” enchants us to explore the secrets hidden within the twilight.

Tango

Style

Roberto Firpo

Orchestra

Teófilo Ibáñez

Singer

Alfredo Navarrine

Author

Alfredo Navarrine

Composer

1928/2/8

Date

Teófilo Ibáñez
Teófilo Ibáñez
Roberto Firpo
Roberto Firpo

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Orquesta Típica Victor – Una tirada – 1928/6/20
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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.

Lechuza recorded by other Orchestras

Lechuza recorded by other Orchestras

1928/2/8 – Sos aquella mascarita – Roberto Firpo
1928/2/8 – Despedida – Roberto Firpo
1928/2/7 – Campanita – Osvaldo Fresedo
1928/2/7 – Che papusa oi – Osvaldo Fresedo
1928/2/7 – Maldonado (2) – Osvaldo Fresedo
Lechuza – 1928/2/3 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Ernesto Fama
Lechuza – 1928/2/8 – Roberto Firpo – Teofilo Ibanez

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Lechuza

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

Letra del Tango Lechuza

Pálido, triste, maltrecho,

un andrajo parecía,

llegó cuando anochecía

al barrio, buscando techo.

Quién sabe dentro del pecho

que tragedias le mordían,

que cayó al pie de un balcón

manoteando el corazón.



Y Lechuza, por su mal,

oyó que cantaban tras el ventanal:

Como un graznido, que el aire cruza,

ahí va Lechuza, rumbo al olvido.

Su vida ha sido triste y sombría,

cual agonía que arrastrando va.

Su muchachada de rompe y raja

se fue a baraja ya derrotada.

Hoy su barriada cambió de traje

y el malevaje trabajando está…

Y al callar la voz fatal

Lechuza besaba la cruz de un puñal.



Cuando apuntó el día nuevo

le estaba echada su suerte.

Lo halló desangrado, inerte,

un botón que iba a relevo.

Era el último malevo

que se iba rumbo a la muerte.

Y cayó al pie del balcón,

manoteando el corazón.

Y al callar la voz fatal

Lechuza besaba la cruz de un puñal.

English lyrics of the Tango "Lechuza"

Pale and sad, quite the wreck,
He seemed just a rag,
Arrived at dusk in the neighborhood,
Seeking a roof overhead.
Who knows what tragedies bit at his heart,
That he fell at a balcony’s base,
Clutching at his heart.

And Lechuza, to his detriment,
Heard the singing behind the windowpane:
Like a screech crossing the air,
There goes Lechuza, heading into oblivion.
His life has been sad and gloomy,
Like a dragging agony.
His young, rowdy crowd
Has left, already defeated.
Today, his neighborhood has changed its clothes,
And the ruffians are now working…
And as the fatal voice fell silent,
Lechuza kissed the cross of a dagger.

When the new day dawned,
His fate was already cast.
They found him blood-drained, lifeless,
A cop who had come to relieve him.
He was the last hoodlum
Heading towards death.
And he fell at the foot of the balcony,
Clutching at his heart.
And as the fatal voice fell silent,
Lechuza kissed the cross of a dagger.

Lechuza by Alfredo Navarrine

Lechuza is a Tango written by Alfredo Navarrine and composed by Alfredo Navarrine.



Story behind the Tango Lechuza

“Lechuza” narrates the tale of a man arriving in a neighborhood at dusk, appearing destitute and in despair, seeking shelter. As the night unfolds, it becomes evident that he is grappling with profound internal tragedies. This man’s turmoil leads him to an eventual demise, depicted by the poignant imagery of him clutching at his heart under a balcony, symbolically ending his life with a dagger. The narrative thread follows the twilight of his existence, emphasizing themes of fate, death, and societal change within his community.



Symbolism of Lechuza

In the song, “Lechuza,” meaning “owl” in English, can be interpreted as a symbol of impending death or doom, reflecting on the nocturnal, often solitary nature of the owl. The recurring image of the protagonist “clutching at his heart” and “kissing the cross of a dagger” symbolizes a tragic end intertwined with betrayal or personal defeat. The transition in the neighborhood, where the rough edges of society start conforming to normative behaviors (“El malevaje trabajando está”), juxtaposes the protagonist’s inability to escape his destined path of sorrow and demise.



Lechuza in Historic Context

The Tango was created and recorded in Argentina in 1928, a period marked by significant political and social transformations. This era, known for its cultural vibrancy and the consolidation of Tango as a symbol of Argentine identity, also grapples with the contradictions of modernity and traditional values. The lyrics reflect this tension, showcasing the transformation within a typical barrio where the old guard (‘malevo’) is fading, replaced by a more structured and perhaps, conforming society. The tragic fate of Lechuza reflects the struggles of those unable to adapt or find their place in this new world order.



Alfredo Navarrine

Alfredo Navarrine was a notable composer and lyricist, contributing significantly to the Tango genre in Argentina during the early 20th century.