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Negra María

Negra María is a Milonga written by Lucio Demare and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1941. The Milonga Negra María is written by Lucio Demare, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Negra María with the singer Carlos Roldán.
“Negra María,” translated as “Black Maria,” carries with it an aura of mystery and elegance. The name evokes the deep, soulful themes often found in the heart of a tango, drawing from a palette of passion and introspection. It hints at stories untold, resonating with shadowed dances and whispered secrets, where emotion flows as freely as the music itself.

Milonga

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Carlos Roldán

Singer

Homero Manzi

Author

Lucio Demare

Composer

1941/10/10

Date

Carlos Roldán
Carlos Roldán
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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Negra María recorded by other Orchestras

Negra María recorded by other Orchestras

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Negra María

This is the translation of the Milonga “Negra María” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Milonga “Negra María” have been done with AI.

Letra del Milonga Negra María

Bruna, bruna
nació María
y está en la cuna.
Nació de día,
tendrá fortuna.
Bordará la madre
su vestido largo.
Y entrará a la fiesta
con un traje blanco
y será la reina
cuando María
cumpla quince años.

Te llamaremos, Negra María…
Negra María, que abriste
los ojos en Carnaval.
Ojos grandes tendrá María,
dientes de nácar,
color moreno.
¡Ay qué rojos serán tus labios,
ay qué cadencia tendrá tu cuerpo!
Vamos al baile, vamos María,
negra la madre, negra la niña.
¡Negra!… Cantarán para vos
las guitarras y los violines
y los rezongos del bandoneón.
Te llamaremos, Negra María…
Negra María, que abriste
los ojos en Carnaval.
Bruna, bruna
murió María
y está en la cuna.
Se fue de día
sin ver la luna.
Cubrirán tu sueño
con un paño blanco.
Y te irás del mundo
con un traje largo
y jamás ya nunca,
Negra María, tendrás quince años.
Te lloraremos, Negra María…
Negra María, cerraste
los ojos en Carnaval.

¡Ay qué triste fue tu destino,
ángel de mota,
clavel moreno!
¡Ay qué oscuro será tu lecho!
¡Ay qué silencio tendrá tu sueño!
Vas para el cielo, Negra María…
Llora la madre, duerme la niña.
Negra… Sangrarán para vos
las guitarras y los violines
y las angustias del bandoneón.
Te lloraremos, Negra María…
Negra María, cerraste
los ojos en Carnaval.

English lyrics of the Milonga "Negra María"

Dark, dark
Maria was born
and lies in the cradle.
Born in daylight,
she will be fortunate.
Her mother will embroider
her long dress.
And she will enter the party
in a white gown
and she will be the queen
when Maria
turns fifteen.

We will call you, Black Maria…
Black Maria, who opened
your eyes in Carnival.
Maria will have big eyes,
pearly teeth,
dark complexion.
Oh, how red your lips will be,
oh, what rhythm your body will have!
Let’s go to the dance, let’s go Maria,
black the mother, black the girl.
Black!… The guitars and violins
and the grumbling of the bandoneon
will sing for you.
We will call you, Black Maria…
Black Maria, who opened
your eyes in Carnival.
Dark, dark
Maria died
and lies in the cradle.
She left by day
without seeing the moon.
They will cover your sleep
with a white cloth.
And you will leave this world
in a long dress
and never ever again,
Black Maria, will you turn fifteen.
We will weep for you, Black Maria…
Black Maria, you closed
your eyes in Carnival.

Oh, how sad was your destiny,
tufted angel,
dark carnation!
Oh, how dark will your bed be!
Oh, what silence will there be in your sleep!
You’re heading for heaven, Black Maria…
The mother weeps, the girl sleeps.
Black… The guitars and violins
and the anguish of the bandoneon
will bleed for you.
We will weep for you, Black Maria…
Black Maria, you closed
your eyes in Carnival.

Negra María by Homero Manzi

Negra María is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Lucio Demare.



Story behind the Tango Negra María

“Negra María” is a poignant narrative that lyrically unfolds the short, tragic life of María, from her birth to her premature death. Manzi skillfully uses the progression of time and life events to paint a touching story filled with cultural and personal insights. The lyrics open with María’s birth, highlighted by the hopeful joy that surrounds a newborn. It transitions into the celebration of her fifteenth birthday, an important cultural milestone in Hispanic countries celebrated as a “quinceañera”, symbolizing her transition into womanhood. Sadly, the story takes a tragic turn as María dies unexpectedly, her future unfulfilled. The description of her funeral contrasts sharply with the earlier festive imagery, ending with a lament for her unexperienced youth.



Symbolism of Negra María

The term “Negra María” itself encapsulates powerful symbolism, with “Negra” possibly referring to María’s personal or familial heritage, often a term of endearment within Latin American cultures. The cyclical nature of joy and sorrow is mirrored in the mention of “Carnaval,” a festival known for its vibrant celebration of life juxtaposed against the somber reality of María’s untimely death during the same festival. The repeated call, “Te llamaremos, Negra María…,” evokes a communal recognition of her identity and story, lending a collective voice to the narrative. Musical elements such as “guitarras,” “violines,” and “bandoneón” enrich the cultural texture, symbolizing the emotional and cultural resonance of Tango music in expressing complex human emotions.



Negra María in historic Context

Created in 1941 by Homero Manzi, a time of significant political and social changes in Argentina, “Negra María” reflects the intertwining of personal stories with broader cultural dynamics. This period was marked by the rise of nationalism and a deepening of cultural identity within Argentina. Manzi, through the lens of a personal tragedy, perhaps critiques or highlights the unnoticed sufferings of everyday people amidst broader national concerns. The poignant themes of life, celebration, and sudden loss could reflect the uncertainties and turbulence of the era, resonating deeply with an audience living through these changing times.



Homero Manzi

Homero Manzi was a renowned Argentine lyricist, famous for his influential Tangos that often captured the soul of Buenos Aires and the nuanced stories of its people.