Noche de ronda by María Teresa Lara

Noche de ronda is a Tango written by María Teresa Lara and composed by María Teresa Lara.

Story behind the Tango Noche de ronda

Noche de ronda” translates to “Night of Rounds” in English, portraying a night filled with emotional patrolling and reflection. The lyrics personify the night as it passes “sadly” across the speaker’s balcony, piercing and wounding their heart. This imagery suggests a scene of solitude and introspection as the persona engages with their deep feelings of loss and longing.

The “Luna que se quiebra sobre la tiniebla de mi soledad” or “Moon that breaks over the darkness of my solitude” sets a tone of deep melancholy and isolation, underscoring the agony of the persona’s solitary existence. The questions “A dónde vas?” (Where are you going?) and references to someone who has departed mimic the feeling of being left behind, heightening the sense of abandonment and despair.

Symbolism of Noche de ronda

The night and moon serve as principal symbols in “Noche de ronda”. The night reflects the shadowy, sorrow-filled side of life while the moon, breaking through darkness, symbolizes hope and the painful beauty of love that once was. The recurring plea to the moon to tell the departed lover about the speaker’s suffering highlights the desperate hope for the loved one’s return. The refrain “Dile que me muero” (Tell her/him I am dying) emphasizes the depth of the speaker’s emotional turmoil and desperation.

The line “Que las rondas no son buenas, que hacen daño” (That the rounds are not good, they hurt) portrays rondas (rounds or strolls) negatively, perhaps metaphorical for repetitive thoughts or actions that remind one of lost love, exacerbating the pain and sorrow, becoming a cycle of suffering.

Noche de ronda in historic Context

Recorded in 1937, in the midst of a culturally rich yet politically complex era for Argentina, “Noche de ronda” emerged when Tango was a profound expression of Argentine identity and emotional depth. The song captures the essence of the Argentine spirit – its passion, its melancholy, and its indomitable hope. During this time, Tango often transcended mere entertainment, delving into themes of loss, love, and longing, mirroring the sentiments of its audience during the politically turbulent era.

María Teresa Lara

María Teresa Lara was not only a prolific composer but also a profound lyricist whose works often explored themes of love, betrayal, and melancholy.