Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Menta y cedrón is a Tango written by Armando Tagini and composed by Oscar Arona.
The Tango “Menta y cedrón” evokes a profound sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, spotlighting the emotional journey of someone revisiting memories of youth, love, and places that have since changed or disappeared. The lyricist uses the backdrop of a night that carries him to the center of the city, searching for the Tango he once danced to with ease—a metonymy for his lost youth and the simpler, seemingly more authentic times that came with it.
As he traverses his memories, the mention of specific elements such as the patio, the aljibe, and the “cordial portón,” reflect a personal connection to places that are central to his childhood and early experiences. These images are vivid, painting a scene of old neighborhoods filled with the raw, unpolished essence of life, accompanied by the scents of mint and lemon verbena (‘menta y cedrón’), which were common in Argentine gardens and carry strong cultural connotations of home and nativeness.
The recurring symbols of ‘menta y cedrón’ (mint and lemon verbena) in the song are poignant. They do not just describe scents but also invoke a sensory memory that represents purity, freshness, and perhaps the innocence of the narrator’s early life. These plants are often used in traditional Argentine folk medicine, hinting at healing and soothing properties, possibly metaphorical for healing from the pain of the ephemeral past.
The phrase “Nostalgias del corazón. ¡Magnolias, menta y cedrón!” encapsulates the core emotion of the tango—heartache born from nostalgia. It narrates not only the author’s yearning for the tangible aspects of his past but also for the intangible feelings associated with them, such as love and youthful exuberance.
Written in 1945, “Menta y cedrón” is set against the backdrop of post-World War II Argentina, a period marked by significant social and political changes. The nostalgia for the simpler times could also reflect the general public sentiment towards the rapid modernization and urbanization that was seen as erasing traditional ways of living. The lyricist’s yearning for the old Tango, a dance intertwined deeply with Argentine culture, parallels the societal apprehension towards losing cultural identity amidst the sweeping changes.
The historical nodes such as the magnolia trees and the scents of mint and lemon verbena situate the tango in a distinctly Argentine setting, while also striking universal themes of change, loss, and the passage of time.
Armando Tagini was an Argentine lyricist known for his poignant and emotive tango lyrics that often reflect deep introspection and nostalgia.