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Milonguita (Esthercita)

Milonguita (Esthercita) is a Tango written by Enrique Delfino and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1961. The Tango Milonguita (Esthercita) is written by Enrique Delfino, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Milonguita (Esthercita) with the singer Hugo Marcel.
“Milonguita (Esthercita)” translates to “Little Milonga (Little Esther)” in English. This piece captures the bittersweet essence of a vibrant and youthful spirit, swirling gracefully through life’s dance. Like the tender notes of a tango, it tells the story of fleeting innocence and dreams, wrapped in a melodic embrace that both enchants and mourns.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Hugo Marcel

Singer

Samuel Linnig

Author

Enrique Delfino

Composer

1961/9/14

Date

Hugo Marcel
Hugo Marcel
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Milonguita (Esthercita) recorded by other Orchestras

Milonguita (Esthercita) recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Milonguita (Esthercita)

This is the translation of the Tango “Milonguita (Esthercita)” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Milonguita (Esthercita)” have been done with AI.

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 the braids a kiss of sun.
And on those summer nights,
what did your little soul dream of, woman,
when hearing some tango at the corner
whispering low words of love to you?

Estercita,
today they call you Milonguita,
flower of night and pleasure,
flower of luxury and cabaret.
Milonguita,
men have done you harm
and today you’d give your whole soul
to dress in simple cotton.

When you leave in the early morning,
Milonguita, from that cabaret,
your whole soul shivering from cold
you say: Ah, if I could only love!…
And between the wine and the last tango
some swell takes you back to your den…
Ah, 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)

The lyrics of “Milonguita (Esthercita)” tell a poignant story of a woman named Esther, affectionately called Milonguita, who transitions from a radiant young girl in the neighborhood of Chiclana to a woman of the night, embodying both innocence lost and the harsh realities of life choices influenced by societal pressures and personal circumstances. The nostalgic remembrance of her past by the singer contrasts sharply with her present state, highlighting themes of lost innocence, the emotional impact of life in cabaret culture, and a yearning for the simplicity and purity of youth.



Symbolism of Milonguita (Esthercita)

Symbols are richly sewn throughout the tango, starting with Milonguita’s transition from wearing “percal” (a simple, modest fabric) to being a ‘flor de noche y de placer’ (a metaphor for a woman of the night, often associated with luxury and decadence). The symbolic use of “trapped under the guise of champagne tears” portrays the facade she maintains, hiding her true emotions behind the perceived glamour of her lifestyle. The juxtaposition of references to her earlier life, “la pollera cortona y las trenzas” (the short skirt and braids), and her current life underscores her internal conflict and transformation.



Milonguita (Esthercita) in historic Context

Recorded in Argentina in 1961, “Milonguita (Esthercita)” reflects the socio-economic conditions of the time, where tango music often intertwined with stories of the urban underclass and their struggles. The cabarets of Buenos Aires served as both a cultural hub and a symbol of moral decline, where many young women, often from impoverished backgrounds, found themselves drawn to a life filled with transient pleasures and enduring hardships. This tango captures the essence of such a life, set against the backdrop of Argentine cabaret culture, which was both vilified and celebrated in its portrayal of raw human emotions and societal dilemmas.



Samuel Linnig

Samuel Linnig, an Argentine lyricist, is renowned for capturing the essence of Buenos Aires’ societal complexities through his tango lyrics that often delve into themes of love, betrayal, and existential despair.