Lloran las campanas by Oscar Rubens

Lloran las campanas is a Tango written by Oscar Rubens and composed by Alberto Suárez Villanueva.

Story behind the Tango Lloran las campanas

The narrative of ‘Lloran las campanas’ revolves around the poignant theme of lost love, articulated through the metaphor of bells ringing. The protagonist, upon returning with the hope of reuniting with a beloved, is met instead with the news of their love’s demise. The repetitive sound of the bells exacerbates the feeling of despair and becomes synonymous with the mocking cruelty of fate.

Symbolism of Lloran las campanas

The symbolism in this tango is deeply entrenched in the sound of the bells (‘campanas’), which typically are associated with church rituals, including weddings and funerals, marking beginnings and endings. Here, the bells echo the tragic finality of lost love, turning what should have been a celebratory sound into one of mourning. The bells’ relentless ‘ding dong’ mirrors the incessant pain in the protagonist’s heart, making the ordinary sound a vehicle of profound emotional disruption.

Lloran las campanas in historic Context

Released in 1944 in Argentina, ‘Lloran las campanas’ emerged during a turbulent era marked by political instability and societal changes post-World War II. The emotional intensity of the tango could be reflective of the collective sentiment of loss and uncertainty that pervaded the era. In a time when individual expressions were heavily influenced by broader social upheavals, this tango could resonate with many who felt personal losses amidst national crises.

Oscar Rubens

Oscar Rubens was an influential Argentine lyricist and playwright known for his poignant and emotionally rich compositions in the realm of tango.