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Mi vieja viola

Mi vieja viola is a Tango written by Humberto Correa and recorded by José Basso in 1950. The Tango Mi vieja viola is written by Humberto Correa, José Basso has recorded Mi vieja viola with the singer Oscar Ferrari.
“Mi vieja viola,” meaning “My Old Guitar” in English, resonates with the warmth and nostalgia of a cherished past. It is more than just an instrument; it embodies a lifetime of stories, echoing the soulful whispers of joyful serenades and melancholic sighs. Each note played is a tender embrace, a gentle reminder of time’s passing yet enduring love.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Oscar Ferrari

Singer

Humberto Correa

Author

Humberto Correa

Composer

1950/11/17

Date

Oscar Ferrari
Oscar Ferrari
José Basso
José Basso

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Osvaldo Pugliese – Cardo y malvón – 1962/6/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Festejando – 1961/12/1
Osvaldo Pugliese – Recuerdo – 1944/3/31
Osvaldo Pugliese – Flor de tango – 1945/8/28
Julio De Caro – Maula – 1927/3/21
Julio De Caro – Tu nombre – 1940/4/5
Julio De Caro – Norma – 1938/8/10
Julio De Caro – Solterona – 1929/1/1
Julio De Caro – Vayan saliendo – 1928/4/30
Ricardo Tanturi – Que no saque el tres – 1959/12/9
Ricardo Tanturi – Qué será de ti – 1945/2/19
Ricardo Tanturi – Raza Criolla (El Taita) – 1944/12/13
Ricardo Tanturi – Mi piba (Mi piba linda) – 1943/3/16
Ricardo Tanturi – Bolero – 1948/1/26
Carlos Gardel – Estampilla – 1929/6/20
Carlos Gardel – Rosas de abril – 1927/6/20
Carlos Gardel – Pato – 1928/1/14
Carlos Gardel – Nubes de humo (Fume compadre) – 1923/1/1
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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.

Mi vieja viola recorded by other Orchestras

Mi vieja viola recorded by other Orchestras

1950/11/17 – Payada criolla – Jose Basso
1950/11/16 – Barra querida – Osvaldo Pugliese
1950/11/16 – Un baile a beneficio – Osvaldo Pugliese
1950/11/23 – La intriga – Alfredo Gobbi
1950/11/23 – Traicionera – Alfredo Gobbi
Mi vieja viola – 1964/2/3 – Anibal Troilo – Tito Reyes
Mi vieja viola – 1950/11/17 – Jose Basso – Oscar Ferrari

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Mi vieja viola

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

Letra del Tango Mi vieja viola

Vieja viola, garufera y vibradora
de las horas de parranda y copetín,
de las tantas serenatas a la lora
que hoy es dueña de mi cuore y patrona del bulín,
¡cómo estás de abandonada y silenciosa,
después que fuiste mi sueño de cantor!
Quien te ha oído sonar papa y melodiosa
no dice que sos la diosa de mi pobre corazón.

Es que la gola se va
y la fama es puro cuento
y andando mal y sin vento
todo, todo se acabó…
Hoy sólo queda el recuerdo
de pasadas alegrías,
pero estás vos, viola mía,
hasta que me vaya yo.

Cuántas noches bajo el brazo de la zurda
por cubrirte del sereno te llevé
y por más que me encontrase bien en curda,
conservándome en la línea, de otros curdas te cuidé.
Si los años de la vida me componen
y la suerte me rempuja a encarrilar,
yo te juro que te cambio los bordones
me rechiflo del escabio y te vuelvo a hacer sonar.

English lyrics of the Tango "Mi vieja viola"

Old guitar, lively and resonant,
from nights of partying and drinks,
from so many serenades below the window
of the woman who now owns my heart and rules the roost,
how you lie silent and abandoned,
after you were my singer’s dream!
Anyone who heard you sing so beautifully
would say you are the goddess of my poor heart.

But the voice fades away,
and fame is just a tale,
and wandering poorly without wind,
everything, everything is over…
Now only memories remain
of past joys,
but you are still here, my dear guitar,
until I depart.

How many nights, under the arm of the lefty,
I carried you covered to protect from the dew,
and though I might have been quite drunk,
keeping my composure, I took care of you from other drunks.
If the years of life sort themselves out
and fate pushes me back on track,
I swear I’ll change your strings,
give up on drinking, and make you sound again.

Mi vieja viola by Humberto Correa

Mi vieja viola is a Tango written by Humberto Correa and composed by Humberto Correa.



Story behind the Tango Mi vieja viola

In “Mi vieja viola,” the narrator reflects nostalgically on his past experiences with his old guitar, which he personifies as a partner in his youthful escapades of music and revelry. The lyrics poignantly capture the essence of longing and loss, as he describes the guitar’s silence and state of abandonment, contrasting sharply with its vibrant past when it was central to his identity as a singer and a source of joy. The guitar symbolizes not only the personal history of the narrator but also represents his emotional attachment to a time filled with passion and life.



Symbolism of Mi vieja viola

The primary symbol in the tango is the guitar (“viola”). It serves as a repository of memories and emotions, simultaneously embodying the youth, dreams, and eventual decline of the narrator. Phrases like “abandonada y silenciosa” and “mi sueño de cantor” underscore the contrast between the guitar’s vibrant past and its quiet present. This evolution from a cherished instrument to an almost forgotten relic reflects the universal theme of the passage of time and the fading of youth. The use and repetition of musical terms also reinforce the deep connection between the instrument and the narrator’s identity and emotional state.



Mi vieja viola in historic Context

Written and recorded in 1950 Argentina, a period marked by political instability and cultural transformation, “Mi vieja viola” reflects the melancholic nostalgia that often pervades tango music. This period in Argentina was one of great change, with the rise of Peronism and significant social reform. The lyrics may subtly mirror the societal longing for simpler, more stable times as mirrored in the personal nostalgia of the narrator. The historical context adds depth to the song’s themes of loss and memory, as the personal losses reflected in the lyrics could be seen metaphorically paralleling the cultural shifts occurring in Argentina at the time.



Humberto Correa

Humberto Correa was a renowned tango lyricist and composer, known for his contributions to the Argentine musical landscape. His works often explore themes of nostalgia, love, and the complexities of human emotions.