Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

Me llamo Anselmo Contreras is a Tango written by Miguel Nijensohn and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1946. The Tango Me llamo Anselmo Contreras is written by Miguel Nijensohn, Miguel Caló has recorded Me llamo Anselmo Contreras with the singer Raul Iriarte.
“Me llamo Anselmo Contreras,” translates to “My name is Anselmo Contreras”—a phrase that carries the rhythm of a tango and the heritage of a storied name. Anselmo, meaning “divine protection,” weaves a tapestry of resilience and grace. Contreras, a name evoking contrasts, dances between light and shadow, embodying a life rich with passion and depth.

Tango

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Raul Iriarte

Singer

Cátulo Castillo

Author

Miguel Nijensohn

Composer

1946/3/8

Date

Raul Iriarte
Raul Iriarte
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

Discover Other Orchestras

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.

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

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

Letra del Tango Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

Y soy de oficio, resero,

No tengo halago ni hacienda

Soy nuevo en el pago

Me entiende, pulpero.



Si quiere fiarme unas cañas

Le dejo en prienda, mi acero,

Y dos virolas de plata, que son

Rezagos del cinturón.



Yo tuve rancho en mi suelo

Campos, ganado y mujer,

Tropilla mía de un pelo

Que lucía en las cuadreras

Del cuello: “Anselmo Contreras”.



Pero mal viento es la vida

Sombra que sopla y se va,

Él me ganó la partida

Con la herida mal venida

De su soledad.

English lyrics of the Tango "Me llamo Anselmo Contreras"

My name is Anselmo Contreras

A rancher by trade, here I declare,

I own no pleasures or property

I’m new in these parts,

Understand me, storekeeper.

If you’d trust me with a few drinks

I’ll leave you my blade as collateral,

And two silver rings, that are

Leftovers from my belt.

I once had a home on my land

Fields, cattle, and a wife,

My own matching herd

Shining in the local races

Bearing the name: “Anselmo Contreras”.

But life is an ill wind

A shadow that blows and fades,

It won at the game

With the unwelcome wound

Of its loneliness.

Me llamo Anselmo Contreras by Cátulo Castillo

Me llamo Anselmo Contreras is a Tango written by Cátulo Castillo and composed by Miguel Nijensohn.



Story behind the Tango Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

The lyrics of “Me llamo Anselmo Contreras” tell the melancholic narrative of a simple man named Anselmo Contreras who introduces himself and his modest livelihood as a cattle herder. Anselmo contrasts his current life, filled with the absence of luxuries and assets, against his past life wherein he owned ranches, cattle, and even had a beloved wife. The lyrics poignantly reflect his losses and a sense of identity rooted in his past possessions and social role.



Symbolism of Me llamo Anselmo Contreras

The song utilizes personal items such as “mi acero” (my steel) and “virolas de plata” (silver rings) as symbols of Anselmo’s identity and honor. These items signify not just wealth but also personal worth and reputation in the rural context of the tango. The lament over lost lands and loved ones underscores the message of transience and loss. “Sombra que sopla y se va” (shadow that blows away) symbolizes life’s fleeting nature, enveloped in unpredictability and solitude.



Me llamo Anselmo Contreras in historic Context

Written in 1946 post World War II, Argentina was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The emergence of Peronism had begun reshaping the landscape of Argentinian identity and labor relations. This song subtly captures the essence of this transitional period, focusing on personal narratives within broader societal shifts. Anselmo’s narrative reflects the plight of many who felt dispossessed and marginalized in the face of modernizing forces and changing social structures.



Cátulo Castillo

Cátulo Castillo was a prominent figure in Argentine music, especially known for his deep and evocative tango lyrics that often explored themes of nostalgia, loss, and love.