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Mate amargo

Mate amargo is a Ranchera written by Carlos Bravo and recorded by Orquesta Típica Victor in 1929. The Ranchera Mate amargo is written by Carlos Bravo, Orquesta Típica Victor has recorded Mate amargo with the singer Roberto Díaz.
“Mate Amargo,” translated to English as “Bitter Mate,” evokes the complex dance of life’s bittersweet moments. The name speaks to the dual nature of tango, where longing and passion intertwine like the flavors of the traditional drink. With every note, “Mate Amargo” whispers stories of love lost and found, a tapestry of heartache and hope.

Ranchera

Style

Orquesta Típica Victor

Orchestra

Roberto Díaz

Singer

Francisco Brancatti

Author

Carlos Bravo

Composer

1929/10/30

Date

Roberto Díaz
Roberto Díaz
Orquesta Típica Victor
Orquesta Típica Victor

Discover Other Orchestras

Armando PONTIER – Verdemar – 1960/7/21
Roberto Firpo – Farabute – 1928/5/31
Roberto Firpo – Penas del alma – 1930/7/17
Roberto Firpo – Curro en el oro – 1935/7/31
Roberto Firpo – Despues de tanto rodar – 1932/2/18
Roberto Firpo – Muchachita del ciego – 1930/6/19
Horacio Salgán – Flores negras – 1957/7/17
Horacio Salgán – Ojos negros – 1963/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Bandoneón arrabalero – 1969/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Doble castigo – 1953/9/2
Horacio Salgán – Sus ojos se cerraron
Los despojos – 1965/1/1
Juan MAGLIO – Milonguero viejo – 1928/4/2

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.

Mate amargo recorded by other Orchestras

Mate amargo recorded by other Orchestras

1929/10/30 – Pollerita de percal – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1929/10/29 – Hermosa mujercita – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1929/10/29 – Pavote – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1929/10/28 – Che bacana – Carlos di Sarli
1929/10/24 – Cuento viejo – Roberto Firpo
Mate amargo – 1948/5/10 – Francini-Pontier – Raul Beron
Mate amargo – 1929/10/30 – Orquesta Tipica Victor – Roberto Diaz

Lyrics Translation of the Ranchera Mate amargo

This is the translation of the Ranchera “Mate amargo” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Ranchera “Mate amargo” have been done with AI.

Letra del Ranchera Mate amargo

Recitado:

¡Entre la imagen divina

y ocupe el puesto de honor!

¡Que es su garganta argentina,

una calandria que trina,

mesmito que el ruiseñor!



Canto:

Aquí estoy yo pa’ que me den algún lugar.

Que aunque mujer, al fin yo se que he de cumplir,

pues a los gauchos les he de cantar

y no se han de arrepentir.



Recitado:

¡Arrincónense y no largue esa vihuela, mi prienda,

y haga buche el que se amargue!

Si ha caído como de encargue.

¡¿Pa’ qué mezquinar la rienda?!



Canto:

Que se haga ver primero ‘ño José Julián,

pa’ corajear, dicen los mozos que han llegao;

las chilindritas ya con los papás,

tuitas se han alborotao.



Recitado:

Me gusta la atropellada,

y tiene tiro largo la moza pa’ la versada.

¡Habrá baile, mate amargo,

y aplauso en la madrugada!



Canto:

‘Ña Remedio ya se tiene fe,

oigale, por favor.

Ya se ajustan las polleras

porque en las rancheras

hace pata ancha, sí señor.

¡Tiene un lindo cuerpo tentador,

ay, que sí, ay, que sí!

¡Miren como se menea

y se colorea mejor que el ají!



Recitado:

¡Fuego! Dice el bastonero.

Y naides se muestre manso.

Que en cuanto ciña el garguero

esta cantora calandria,

ya salió el asao con cuero.



Canto:

Bueno, ya que toco largo

quiero un mate amargo,

mesmo que mi suerte.

La que no sea fuerte

y aguantar no pueda,

el mate a la rueda tendrá que cebar.

Aura, ya falló una vieja,

pa’ qué se me queja, si es un disparate.

Venga con el mate, sufra con pacencia,

que esta penitencia tiene que pagar.



Recitado:

Con esta criolla de verde,

¡amalhaya quién pudiera!

Me gusta cuando se ríe

porque saca un diente ajuera.



Canto:

En el jardín de la pasión que yo soñé,

mucho peor sufrí por un rosal en flor,

que sin su aroma triste me quedé,

con lo amargo del dolor.



Recitado:

Hasta el pájaro cantor

se va lamentando fiero.

¡Lindo maula el del amor,

que de puro escarchador

se vuelve zonzo y mañero!



Canto:

Si le ha tocao cebar a usté, Doña Leonor

joróbese, que no hay razón pa’ mezquinar.

El mate amargo traiga por favor,

déjese de cacarear.



Recitado:

¡Miren la cara ‘e la vieja

si no es la de un lechuzón!

¡Si la vista no me engaña

se le ha prendido a la caña

como ternero mamón!

English lyrics of the Ranchera "Mate amargo"

Recited:

Between the divine image
let honor’s place be taken!
For her silver throat is,
a trilling calandra,
just like the nightingale!

Sung:

Here I am for you to give me a place.
Though a woman, at last I know I must fulfill,
for I will sing to the gauchos
and they will not regret it.

Recited:

Squeeze in and don’t stop strumming that guitar, my dear,
and let those who are bitter, swallow it!
If it’s fallen like it’s ordered.
Why be stingy with the rein?

Sung:

Let ‘ño José Julián show himself first,
to encourage, say the young men who have arrived;
the little girls now with their fathers,
all have been stirred up.

Recited:

I like the rush,
and the girl has a long shot for the verse.
There will be dancing, bitter mate,
and applause at dawn!

Sung:

‘Ña Remedio now has faith in herself,
listen, please.
The skirts are now adjusted
because in the ranch dances
she stands out, yes sir.
She has a tempting body,
oh yes, oh yes!
Look how she sways
and blushes better than chili!

Recited:

Fire! cries the master of ceremonies.
And let no one show tameness.
As soon as this calandra singer
tightens the throat strap,
the roast with skin is already out.

Sung:

Well, now that I play long
I want a bitter mate,
just like my fate.
Those who are not strong
and cannot endure,
will have to prepare the mate in turn.
Now, an old woman has failed,
why does she complain to me, it’s nonsense.
Come with the mate, suffer patiently,
for this penance must be paid.

Recited:

With this Creole of green,
lucky is the one who could!
I like it when she laughs
because she shows a tooth outside.

Sung:

In the garden of passion that I dreamed,
I suffered much worse for a rose in bloom,
which without its aroma I was left,
with the bitterness of pain.

Recited:

Even the singing bird
goes lamenting fiercely.
Pretty trickster of love,
that from being a pure joker
becomes silly and tricky!

Sung:

If it’s your turn to prepare the mate, Doña Leonor
suffer through, there’s no reason to skimp.
Bring the bitter mate please,
stop clucking.

Recited:

Look at the old woman’s face
if it’s not that of an owl!
If my eyes don’t deceive me
she’s gotten stuck to the cane
like a suckling calf!

Mate amargo by Francisco Brancatti

Mate amargo is a Tango written by Francisco Brancatti and composed by Carlos Bravo.



Story behind the Tango Mate amargo

The lyrics of “Mate amargo” explore the dynamics of a rural gathering or a festive event in Argentina, interwoven with personal tales and communal interactions. From the ceremonious scene-setting in the opening verses to the intimate details of personal interactions, the lyrics reflect a lively community setting where music and mate (a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink) play central roles. The repeated mention of ‘mate amargo,’ which translates to ‘bitter mate,’ symbolically ties the drink to the underlying emotions and cultural significance of the gathering.



Symbolism of Mate amargo

“Mate amargo” not only refers to a bitter version of the traditional drink but also metaphorically underscores the bittersweet emotions entangled in the lyrics. The “bitterness” in the mate can represent the hardships or the harsh realities of life, juxtaposed with moments of joy and communal celebration. The recurring motif of singing and dancing alongside the communal sharing of mate illustrates the collective attempt to find solace and joy amidst life’s complexities. Key phrases such as “me gusta la atropellada” and “tendrá que cebar” suggest a preference for spontaneity and sharing burdens, reinforcing the communal spirit and resilience.



Mate amargo in historic Context

Written in 1929, “Mate amargo” emerges during a period of significant cultural identity formation in Argentina. This era saw a resurgence of interest in folk traditions, which this tango embraces by referencing rural and domestic life, and integrating them within the broader nationalistic currents of the time. The descriptions of traditional events and local figures like ‘Ña Remedio’ and ‘Doña Leonor’ capture the essence of local customs and community interactions, serving both as a preservation and celebration of Argentine rural culture at a time of immense societal changes.



Francisco Brancatti

Francisco Brancatti was a prominent lyricist in the Argentine tango scene, known for his vivid narratives and deep engagement with contemporary social themes.