Madreselva (La polla) by Luis César Amadori

Madreselva (La polla) is a Tango written by Luis César Amadori and composed by Francisco Canaro.

Story behind the Tango Madreselva (La polla)

The lyrics of “Madreselva” tell the vivid story of a person who reminisces about their childhood and first love in the context of the humble surroundings of their youth. The role of the honeysuckle (madreselva) growing on an old wall is central, serving as a symbol for innocence and the sweet but transient nature of first love. The narrative juxtaposes youthful hopes with the reality of adult disappointments, reflecting upon how life matures one’s perspectives on love and hardship.

Symbolism of Madreselva (La polla)

The repeated refrain, “Madreselvas en flor que me vieron nacer,” uses honeysuckle flowers as a metaphor for purity and the blossoming of love. These flowers, which bloom annually, symbolize recurring hope and the permanence of memory amidst changing life circumstances. Additionally, the ‘old wall’ symbolizes both the passage of time and a reliable witness to the singer’s emotional journey from innocence to experience.

Madreselva (La polla) in historic Context

Composed in 1931, during a period when Tango was a profound medium for expressing the everyday life and emotions of the working-class Argentineans, “Madreselva” captures themes of love, disillusionment, and nostalgia that were reflective of the socio-economic struggles of the time. The Tango, often associated with the urban landscape of Buenos Aires, here uses the imagery of the suburbs (“arrabal”) where such emotions and stories unfold against a backdrop of the Great Depression’s shadows affecting global and local economies alike.

Luis César Amadori

Luis César Amadori was an acclaimed Argentine lyricist, dramatist, and film director, known for his contributions to the Tango genre and Argentine cinema.