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Mamboretá

Mamboretá is a Tango written by María Isolina Godard and recorded by José Basso in 1950. The Tango Mamboretá is written by María Isolina Godard, José Basso has recorded Mamboretá with the singer Jorge Duran.
“Mamboretá,” which translates to “praying mantis” in English, evokes the delicate dance of this mysterious creature. Its movements are a graceful blend of elegance and predatory instinct, embodying the dance’s rhythm. In the melody, one can hear the mantis’s silent, poised anticipation, capturing the essence of nature’s unpredictable beauty and grace.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Jorge Duran

Singer

Francisco García Jiménez

Author

María Isolina Godard

Composer

1950/8/29

Date

Jorge Duran
Jorge Duran
José Basso
José Basso

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Carlos di Sarli – El estagiario – 1941/4/18
Carlos di Sarli – Cuidado con los cincuenta – 1954/1/4
Carlos di Sarli – Pimienta – 1952/10/27
Carlos di Sarli – Acuérdate de mi – 1946/8/29
Carlos di Sarli – Colibriyo – 1929/12/16
Osvaldo Pugliese – Es preciso que te vayas – 1953/11/25
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Osvaldo Pugliese – Las tres banderas – 1958/7/23
Osvaldo Pugliese – El rodeo – 1943/7/15
Julio De Caro – Allá en el cielo – 1952/11/27
Julio De Caro – Copacabana (Nido de amor) – 1949/7/26
Julio De Caro – Aromas – 1928/6/18
Julio De Caro – Puro apronte – 1952/11/27
Julio De Caro – Quejas de bandoneón – 1927/1/1

Recommended

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.

1950/8/29 – Para lucirse – Jose Basso
1950/8/25 – Barrio viejo – Domingo Federico
1950/8/25 – El simpatico – Domingo Federico
1950/9/8 – El pillete – Miguel Calo
1950/9/8 – Los mareados – Miguel Calo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Mamboretá

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

Letra del Tango Mamboretá

Yo la conocí a ‘Mamboretá’
en el barrio aquel de la niñez,
con su pena cruel
de no tener mamá…
ni conocer
otro consuelo que llorar.
Pobre huerfanita, triste flor,
era su madrastra la impiedad.
Carne del dolor,
ni un nombre se te dio:
fue nada más
que la infeliz ‘Mamboretá’…

¡Linda mujer que en esta noche
triunfando hace derroche
de lujo y de placer!
Sólo yo sé que eres aquélla,
y el brillo de tu estrella
no haré palidecer.

Por el milagro, la copa quiero alzar:
¡hoy es Alondra quien fue Mamboretá!
Nada pregunto ni sospecho,
¡no sé lo que habrás hecho
cansada de llorar!

Que otro te condene… Ya no sé
dónde acaba el bien y empieza el mal…
Yo tan sólo sé
la trágica verdad
de tu niñez
ensombrecida de orfandad.
Puede ser locura tu placer,
puede ser tu lujo un sol fugaz;
pero Dios te da
desquite de tu ayer;
¡sueño feliz
de la infeliz ‘Mamboretá’!

English lyrics of the Tango "Mamboretá"

I met her as ‘Mamboretá’
in that old childhood neighborhood,
with her cruel sorrow
of being motherless…
nor knowing
any comfort but to cry.
Poor little orphan, a sad flower,
cruelty was her stepmother.
Flesh of pain,
you were not even given a name:
you were just
the unfortunate ‘Mamboretá’…

Beautiful woman who tonight
triumphantly indulges
in luxury and pleasure!
Only I know you are the one,
and I won’t let the shine of your star
fade away.

For the miracle, I want to raise a glass:
today’s Alondra who was once Mamboretá!
I ask nothing nor suspect,
I don’t know what you might have done
tired of crying!

Let others judge you… I no longer know
where good ends and evil begins…
All I know is
the tragic truth
of your childhood
shadowed by orphanhood.
Your pleasure might be madness,
your luxury a fleeting sun;
but God gives you
redress for your past;
a happy dream
for the unfortunate ‘Mamboretá’!

Mamboretá by Francisco García Jiménez

Mamboretá is a Tango written by Francisco García Jiménez and composed by María Isolina Godard.


Story behind the Tango Mamboretá

The lyrics of “Mamboretá” dive deep into the story of a woman who grew up in hardship and orphanage, known only by her nickname from a childhood characterized by poverty and sorrow. Her transformation from a tragic childhood figure to a triumphant adult is captured poignantly by García Jiménez. The song narrates her evolution from the despised and pitied ‘Mamboretá’ to a dazzling woman known as ‘Alondra’, celebrated and luxurious, yet shadowed by her past.



Symbolism of Mamboretá

The name ‘Mamboretá’ itself, likely derived from a Guaraní word, suggests a native or rural background, and can symbolize the natural resilience and survival instinct. The transition from Mamboretá to Alondra (which means ‘lark’ in Spanish) symbolizes a metamorphosis from a ground-dwelling bug to a soaring bird, representing freedom and escape from past sorrows. Jiménez uses vivid contrasts between the dark, painful imagery associated with Mamboretá and the bright, alluring imagery of Alondra to deepen the emotional impact of this transformation.



Mamboretá in Historic Context

Recorded in 1950s Argentina, a period marked by profound political and social changes, “Mamboretá” mirrors the personal struggles against the socio-economic backdrop. The era was characterized by a rise in personal narrative in arts, reflecting individuals’ hardships and victories, much like Mamboretá’s story reflects broader themes of societal neglect and individual triumph. The tango, a dance emerging from lower-class urban precincts, often featured themes of despair, love, and redemption, mirroring the community’s emotions and stories.



Francisco García Jiménez

Francisco García Jiménez was a renowned Argentine lyricist known for his deep and evocative tango lyrics.