Margo by Homero Expósito

Margo is a Tango written by Homero Expósito and composed by Armando Pontier.

Story behind the Tango Margo

Margo tells the poignant story of a woman returning to her city with a deep sense of weariness and sorrow embedded in her tango. The narrative reveals her profound exhaustion had been escalating over time to such an extent that it eventually overwhelmed her. The repeated cycle of nights filled with thoughts of the past, compared metaphorically to a cricket singing till dawn, emphasizes a persistent rumination that deepens her sadness. The lyrics poignantly ask about her intentions and destinations, underscoring her perpetual state of grief that is so intense, it moves others to tears.

Symbolism of Margo

The tango uses profound symbolism to enhance the emotional landscape of its narrative. The term “Margo” itself, which roughly translates to “Marjoram” in English, can symbolize sorrow and sadness, resonating with the themes of the song. The “tango más amargo,” or “the bitterest tango,” further symbolizes the depth of her enduring pain. References to “Paris” and the “old Paris feeding on the brutal, brief end of magnolia in the snow” evoke images of a harsh, indifferent world where dreams and beauty perish in the cold realities of life. The motif of magnolia, a beautiful but fleeting flower often associated with dignity and perseverance, being destroyed in snow adds a stark visual layer to the narrative of Margo’s doomed hopes and beauty.

Margo in historic Context

The tango Margo was written in 1945, a period of great societal shifts globally and particularly in Argentina which was on the brink of significant political changes. This was a time of reflection and transformation, and the tango, a dance known for its expression of the melancholic and the melancholy and its intimate reflection of human emotions, serves as a perfect vessel to express collective and personal suffering. Margo’s recurring sorrow, set against this backdrop, mirrors the collective anxiety and the clash between old-world romanticism and the harsh realities of modernity. Moreover, the reference to Paris, a city historically associated with art and romance yet marred by the realities of World War II during this period, adds a layer of global despair to Margo’s personal suffering.

Homero Expósito

Homero Expósito was a prominent Argentinian poet and tango lyricist, known for his deep, emotive, and often melancholic lyrics that resonated strongly during the golden age of Argentine tango.