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Nací en Pompeya

Nací en Pompeya is a Tango written by Natty Paredes and recorded by Juan D’Arienzo in 1949. The Tango Nací en Pompeya is written by Natty Paredes, Juan D’Arienzo has recorded Nací en Pompeya with the singer Alberto Echagüe.
“Nací en Pompeya,” meaning “I Was Born in Pompeii,” evokes a deep connection to a place rich in history and emotion. This piece of music, possibly a Tango, captures the essence of life emerging from a city renowned for its tragic beauty and resilience. It speaks of roots buried in the past, yet vibrantly alive in the dance of the present.

Tango

Style

Juan D'Arienzo

Orchestra

Alberto Echagüe

Singer

José Rótulo

Author

Natty Paredes

Composer

1949/12/19

Date

Alberto Echagüe
Alberto Echagüe
Juan D'Arienzo
Juan D’Arienzo

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Ricardo Tanturi – Perdóname señor – 1957/9/17
Ricardo Tanturi – Tango – 1942/7/20
Ricardo Tanturi – Este es tu tango – 1945/12/5
Ricardo Tanturi – Llevame carretero – 1946/1/30
Ricardo Tanturi – Cantor de barrio – 1945/7/13
Ángel d’Agostino – Caricias – 1945/7/17
Ángel d’Agostino – Café Domínguez – 1955/8/16
Ángel d’Agostino – No aflojés – 1953/2/2
Ángel d’Agostino – El cuarteador – 1942/1/1
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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.

1949/12/19 – El potro – Juan D-Arienzo
1949/12/19 – Mi carinito – Juan D-Arienzo
1949/12/19 – Un cambio te viene bien – Juan D-Arienzo
1949/12/19 – El rey del compas – Juan D-Arienzo
1949/12/19 – Union Civica – Juan D-Arienzo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Nací en Pompeya

This is the translation of the Tango “Nací en Pompeya” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Nací en Pompeya” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Nací en Pompeya

En cuna de barro se hamacó mi infancia,
con noches de plata y luz de arrabal.
Mi canto de cuna fue canto de sapos,
nací como el ave, sabiendo cantar.
Mi madre fue parda, de nombre milonga,
y en los tamboriles aprendió a soñar.
Mi padre fue un guapo, clavel en la oreja,
de aquel Buenos Aires, de trenza y percal.

Soy varón, porque soy tango,
si me han visto lagrimear,
no es de flojo ni cobarde,
es que soy sentimental.
Soy varón, nací en Pompeya,
tengo voz de bandoneón,
canto alegrías y penas
que brotan del corazón.

Con un organito moliendo mis quejas,
camino del centro, luciendo un clavel.
Dejaba colgado, como un pentagrama,
las notas de un tango cantando un querer.
Ya no soy el mismo, cambié mi ropaje,
me quité el pañuelo, chambergo y clavel,
paseé por el mundo, llevado del brazo,
del padre del tango, don Carlos Gardel.

English lyrics of the Tango "Nací en Pompeya"

In a cradle of clay swayed my childhood,
with nights of silver and light of the suburbs.
My lullaby was a chorus of frogs,
I was born like the bird, knowing how to sing.
My mother was dusky, her name was Milonga,
and in the drumbeats, she learned to dream.
My father was a tough guy, carnation in the ear,
from that Buenos Aires, of braid and percale.

I am a man, because I am tango,
if you’ve seen me shedding tears,
it’s not from weakness or cowardice,
it’s because I am sentimental.
I am a man, born in Pompeya,
I have the voice of a bandoneon,
singing joys and sorrows
that spring from the heart.

With a street organ grinding my complaints,
walking to the center, flaunting a carnation.
I left, hung like a musical staff,
the notes of a tango singing of love.
I’m not the same anymore, I changed my clothes,
I took off the handkerchief, the fedora, and the carnation,
I toured the world, led by the arm
of the father of tango, Mr. Carlos Gardel.

Nací en Pompeya by José Rótulo

Nací en Pompeya is a Tango written by José Rótulo and composed by Natty Paredes.

Story behind the Tango Nací en Pompeya

The lyrics of “Nací en Pompeya” describe the humble beginnings and transformative journey of a man deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Buenos Aires. The speaker reminisces about his childhood, cradled in a “cuna de barro,” suggesting a modest upbringing amidst the unique nightlife and suburban glow of the arrabal, or outskirts. His parents, embodiments of local color and tradition—with his mother depicted as “milonga” and his father as a dashing figure—root him in the distinctive milieu of Argentine tango culture.

As the narrative progresses, the man metaphorically portrays himself as the tango: masculine, emotional, and expressive. This self-identification underscores a deep, inherent connection to the essence of tango, not just as a dance or a musical style, but as a way of life that expresses both joy and sorrow.



Symbolism of Nací en Pompeya

Key symbols in “Nací en Pompeya” enrich the narrative and embed deep cultural references. The “cuna de barro” symbolizes a humble, earthy origin, while “noches de plata y luz de arrabal” evoke images of vibrant, lively nights typical in Buenos Aires suburbs. The “organito,” a traditional street organ, acts as a vehicle for the protagonist’s woes and desires as he moves into the city, illustrating his journey from humble beginnings towards a broader, perhaps more complex life.

The transformation of his attire—discarding his traditional “chambergo” (hat) and “clavel” (carnation)—signifies a transition from local to global, paralleling the international spread of tango music, exemplified by the legendary Carlos Gardel. Gardel’s mention also symbolizes tango’s evolution and global influence, portraying how deeply intertwined the genre is with Argentine identity.



Nací en Pompeya in historic Context

Recorded in 1949, “Nací en Pompeya” arrives in a post-World War II context where Argentine culture, particularly tango, was undergoing significant transformation and gaining international recognition. Pompeya, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires, represents a microcosm of the working-class spirit and is often celebrated in tango for its authenticity and grit. By stating “nací en Pompeya,” the protagonist exemplifies a pure, unfiltered origin from a place known for its deep-rooted tango culture, further emphasizing authenticity and emotional depth within the global landscape of the era.



José Rótulo

José Rótulo was a renowned lyricist in the tango genre, contributing to its rich narrative tradition by intertwining personal and collective emotions into his works.