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Milonguita (Esthercita)

Milonguita (Esthercita) is a Tango written by Enrique Delfino and recorded by José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) in 1959. José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) has recorded Milonguita (Esthercita) as an instrumental Tango.
“Milonguita (Esthercita)” translates to “Little Milonga (Little Esther)” in English. In its melancholic notes, it tells the tale of a vibrant young soul, Esther, who dances through life with grace and longing. The music paints a portrait of her delicate beauty and unfulfilled dreams, echoing a bittersweet nostalgia for moments that fleetingly dance away.

Tango

Style

José De Alto (Dir. José Basso)

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Samuel Linnig

Author

Enrique Delfino

Composer

1959/9/14

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso)
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso)

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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.

Milonguita (Esthercita) recorded by other Orchestras

Milonguita (Esthercita) recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango Milonguita (Esthercita)

¿Te acordás, Milonguita? Vos eras
la pebeta más linda ‘e Chiclana;
la pollera cortona y las trenzas,
y en las trenzas un beso de sol.
Y en aquellas noches de verano,
¿qué soñaba tu almita, mujer,
al oír en la esquina algún tango
chamayarte bajito de amor?

Estercita,
hoy te llaman Milonguita,
flor de noche y de placer,
flor de lujo y cabaret.
Milonguita,
los hombres te han hecho mal
y hoy darías toda tu alma
por vestirte de percal.

Cuando sales por la madrugada,
Milonguita, de aquel cabaret,
toda tu alma temblando de frío
dices: ¡Ay, si pudiera querer!…
Y entre el vino y el último tango
p’al cotorro te saca un bacán…
¡Ay, qué sola, Estercita, te sientes!
Si llorás…¡dicen que es el champán!

English lyrics of the Tango "Milonguita (Esthercita)"

Do you remember, Milonguita? You were
the prettiest girl in Chiclana;
the short skirt and the braids,
and in those braids a kiss of sun.
And on those summer nights,
what did your little soul dream of, woman,
hearing a tango on the corner
softly whining words of love?

Estercita,
today they call you Milonguita,
flower of night and of pleasure,
flower of luxury and cabaret.
Milongita,
men have done you wrong
and today you’d give your whole soul
to dress in percale again.

When you leave in the early morning,
Milonguita, from that cabaret,
your whole soul shivering with cold
you say: Oh, if only I could love!…
And between the wine and the last tango
a fancy man takes you to the slum…
Oh, how lonely you feel, Estercita!
If you cry… they say it’s the champagne!

Milonguita (Esthercita) by Samuel Linnig

Milonguita (Esthercita) is a Tango written by Samuel Linnig and composed by Enrique Delfino.



Story behind the Tango Milonguita (Esthercita)

“Milonguita,” also known as “Esthercita,” tells the poignant story of a woman whose life transitions from the innocence of youth to the harsh realities of adult life in the nightlife of Buenos Aires. Beginning as a young girl nicknamed “Milonguita,” she is remembered as the most beautiful in Chiclana, characterized by her short skirts and braids kissed by sunlight. The lyrics reveal her life’s shift as she becomes embroiled in the world of nightclubs and cabarets, eventually longing for a simpler, purer existence reflected in her desire to “dress in percale”—a metaphor for reclaiming her lost innocence.



Symbolism of Milonguita (Esthercita)

The symbolism in “Milonguita” is rich with contrasts between light and shadow, which Linnig uses to great effect. “Beso de sol” (kiss of the sun) in her braids represents her youthful innocence and vitality, which starkly contrasts with the night setting of her adult life, symbolizing moral ambiguity and decay. The metaphor of her wishing to wear percale—a plain, simple fabric—epitomizes her desire to return to a simpler, purer state, free from the corruption of her current environment. References to being brought low by men and the compensatory glamor of nightlife reveal the destructive cycles often faced by women in her position during the era.



Milonguita (Esthercita) in Historic Context

Recorded in 1959, “Milonguita” captures a snapshot of mid-20th century Buenos Aires, a time when tango culture deeply influenced the city’s social and cultural fabric. The song’s setting at Chiclana, a notable avenue in Buenos Aires, and references to the nightlife venues, frame a vivid picture of the nocturnal, urban landscape that tango music often romanticized but also critiqued. This period was marked by rapid urbanization and cultural shifts, with cabarets and nightclubs becoming central to the city’s nightlife, often reflecting broader themes of social change and personal transformation.



Samuel Linnig

Samuel Linnig, a notable figure in the world of tango, was known for his emotive and culturally resonant lyrics. His work often explores themes of love, loss, and societal change.