Los despojos by Horacio Sanguinetti

Los despojos is a Tango written by Horacio Sanguinetti and composed by José Dames.

Story behind the Tango Los despojos

In this poignant piece, the author invites a profound reflection on the remnants of a past relationship that resurfaces in the later stages of life. The title “Los despojos,” translating to “The Remains” in English, metaphorically represents what is left after the flames of a once passionate love have burned out. The two individuals, now aged and marked by life’s hardships, revisit their shared past, emphasizing themes of forgiveness, the ravages of time, and the lingering pain of lost love.

Symbolism of Los despojos

The song makes extensive use of contrasts and natural imagery to heighten the emotional landscape. Phrases like “Como el sol reseca el lodo” (As the sun dries up the mud) utilize natural processes to symbolize how time attempts to heal and erase past pain. Yet, the “light in my darkness,” depicted as the other person’s name turning into mist, suggests ephemeral, almost ghostly reappearances of past emotions and connections, emphasizing the fleeting and often insubstantial nature of attempts at reconciliation or redemption.

Los despojos in historic Context

Created in the post-war era of 1947 in Argentina, a time marked by political and social changes, “Los despojos” reflects a collective sentiment of nostalgia and mourning for what has been irrevocably changed or lost. This period in Argentina was a time of significant transition, which is mirrored in the personal reflections of loss and the passage of time present in the song. The tango, inherently melancholic and reflective, serves as a perfect medium to explore these themes.

Horacio Sanguinetti

Horacio Sanguinetti, an Argentine lyricist, is known for his deep, reflective lyrics that often explore themes of love, loss, and existential contemplation within the framework of tango music.