Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Magdala is a Tango written by Francisco Gorrindo and composed by Rodolfo Biagi.
The lyrics of “Magdala” depict a poignant tale of failed aspirations and redemption, cloaked in religious imagery. The speaker reflects on his journey with a woman named Magdalena, whom he reveres as saintly and humble. He acknowledges having led her through a life of hardship, akin to a ‘via crucis’ or Way of the Cross, making her witness to his spiritual collapse. The tango narrates his confession and his final plea for her forgiveness, as he believes he has given her nothing but crumbs instead of the life he wished to give. As the song concludes, he expresses a wish for her liberation, suggesting she deserves freedom from the torment he feels responsible for.
The symbolism in “Magdala” is deeply entrenched in Christian imagery. Magdalena, or Mary Magdalene, is traditionally viewed as a penitent sinner who becomes a devout follower of Jesus, thus epitomizing redemption. The lyricist uses her name metaphorically to address issues of faith, sacrifice, and forgiveness. The ‘via crucis’ symbolizes a painful journey laden with suffering, mirroring the character’s emotional agony. The references to “crumbs” symbolize insufficient and inadequate attempts at providing sustenance or happiness, highlighting the protagonist’s feelings of inadequacy and guilt. The closing image of leaving doors open to freedom is a poignant metaphor for unburdening the perceived captor’s conscience and offering a chance for rebirth.
“Magdala” was created in the mid-1940s in Argentina, a period marked by significant social and political upheaval leading to the rise of Juan Domingo Perón. In these times of uncertainty and flux, tango often expressed the melancholy, disillusionment, and the resolute desire to find or offer solace. The author, Gorrindo, weaves a narrative that reflects a personal and collective sense of failure and the longing for redemption. This song, with its intimate confession and stark vulnerability, could be seen as echoing the broader societal desire for change and salvation in a time of crisis.
Francisco Gorrindo was a renowned tango lyricist known for his deep and evocative texts, often exploring themes of love, sorrow and socio-economic issues.