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Manon

Manon is a Tango written by Arturo De Bassi and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1942. The Tango Manon is written by Arturo De Bassi, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Manon with the singer Oscar Serpa.
“Manon,” translated from Spanish, captures both the allure and mystery of its title. The name evokes a sense of sophistication and grace, reminiscent of a gentle yet captivating dance that tells a story of passionate encounters. It whispers of evenings filled with both longing and nostalgia, where each note becomes a lingering memory etched in the heart.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Oscar Serpa

Singer

Antonio Miguel Podestá

Author

Arturo De Bassi

Composer

1942/7/17

Date

Oscar Serpa
Oscar Serpa
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Manon recorded by other Orchestras

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Lyrics Translation of the Tango Manon

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

Letra del Tango Manon

Vida,
vida vieja que cincha cansada
repitiendo tu nombre, Manón,
y se siente morir recostada
sobre los latidos de mi corazón.
Vida,
pobre vida que ya ni se mueve,
que ni sabe por qué se perdió,
heroína de un barrio con nieve,
francesita gaucha, mi linda Manón.
Rondo tu recuerdo,
persigo tu sombra;
mi pena te nombra,
con fervor, con gratitud,
y sufre complacida
porque es tuyo su pesar.
No sabe ni llorar…
Te nombra, nada más.
El nido era pobre,
un último suelo
un poco de cielo
de París, tu gran París…
La luna, entre los techos,
decoraba la ilusión…
Soñábamos allí…
Amábamos, Manón.

(Pero estaba escrita,
marcada a destino
sobre aquel cariño,
la palabra adiós).

Pena,
pena dulce que llevo escondida,
que me alumbra la vida, Manón.
Me la ha dado tu orgullo y la llevo
como una caricia sobre el corazón…
Vida,
pobre vida que ya ni se mueve,
que ni sabe por qué te perdió,
heroína de un barrio con nieve,
francesita gaucha, más gaucha que yo.

English lyrics of the Tango "Manon"

Life,
old life that tiredly cinches
repeating your name, Manon,
and feels like dying reclined
on the heartbeats of my heart.
Life,
poor life that no longer moves,
that doesn’t even know why it’s lost,
heroine of a snowy neighborhood,
little French gaucho, my lovely Manon.
I circle your memory,
chase your shadow;
my sorrow names you,
with fervor, with gratitude,
and suffers pleased
because its grief is yours.
It doesn’t even know how to cry…
It just names you, nothing more.
The nest was humble,
a final ground
a bit of sky
from Paris, your grand Paris…
The moon among the rooftops
adorned the illusion…
We dreamed there…
We loved, Manon.

(But it was written,
marked by fate
on that affection,
the word goodbye).

Sorrow,
sweet sorrow that I keep hidden,
that lights up my life, Manon.
Your pride has given it to me and I carry it
like a caress over my heart…
Life,
poor life that no longer moves,
that doesn’t even know why it lost you,
heroine of a snowy neighborhood,
little French gaucho, more gaucho than me.

Manon by Antonio Miguel Podestá

Manon is a Tango written by Antonio Miguel Podestá and composed by Arturo De Bassi.

Story behind the Tango Manon

“Manon” explores themes of love, loss, and nostalgia through its poignant lyrics. The protagonist laments the memories of a loved one named Manon, expressing deep sorrow and emotional attachment to her. The lyrics convey a story where life feels stagnant and painful without Manon, emphasizing her importance with each mention of her name. The recurring mention of life (“vida”) highlights a life now bereft of passion and motion, tethered to the memories of Manon, who is affectionately recalled with cultural references, merging French and Argentine identities (“francesita gaucha”).



Symbolism of Manon

The name “Manon” itself carries a symbolism of enduring love, evoking references perhaps to the French cultural context, possibly nodding to characters like Manon Lescaut, a figure representing beauty and the complexities of romantic commitment. The lyrics use metaphors such as “vida vieja” (old life) and “pena dulce” (sweet sorrow) to deepen the emotional narrative, symbolizing an existence that is both old from weariness and sweetened by the lingering memories of love. The “nido,” or nest, mentioned in the song serves as a metaphor for the home or safe haven shared by the narrator and Manon, which was humble yet filled with the grandeur of their shared dreams.



Manon in historic Context

The song “Manon” was written during 1942, a period that globally was marked by the throes of World War II, but in Argentina, it was a time of cultural blossoming, particularly in the art of tango. Buenos Aires during this era was a melting pot of influences, where European immigrants infused local culture with diverse influences. The reference to snow-covered neighborhoods and merging of Parisian imagery with local Argentine characteristics reflects this cultural and emotional amalgamation, encapsulating a nostalgic yearning for both the romantic Paris and the local Argentine identity during a tumultuous historical period.



Antonio Miguel Podestá

Antonio Miguel Podestá was an influential tango lyricist known for his profound and emotive lyrics, capturing the spirit of Argentine tango culture.