Pa que seguir by Francisco Florentino

Pa que seguir is a Tango written by an unknown author and composed by Francisco Florentino.

Story behind the Tango Pa que seguir

The tango “Pa que seguir” paints a poignant portrait of despair and introspection, echoing the turbulent emotions found in many classic tangos. The narrator is engulfed in a night of reflection and melancholy, questioning the purpose of continuing down a path fraught with failures and wounds. The lyrics suggest a personal struggle, a battle between duty and genuine feelings, leaving the narrator in a state of emotional torment and isolation. The story unfolds with the imagery of a lover returning for forgiveness, only to be rejected deeper into despair, highlighting the narrarator’s conflicted state.

Symbolism of Pa que seguir

There are several powerful symbols throughout the lyrics. The “night” represents a time for introspection and the encompassing darkness of the narrator’s thoughts. “Cada paso por la vida es un fracaso, es una herida más” uses the metaphor of a step in life being a failure or wound, indicating the cumulative pain of the narrator’s journey. The “drama without end” suggests a cycle of unending anguish, while the “flame in which so many desires burn” symbolizes passion and destruction, showing how yearning can lead to suffering. The phrase “llama en que se queman tantas ansias tanto mal” captures the endless internal conflict—one’s yearnings and malice consuming an individual simultaneously. The recurrence of nights without truly living highlights an existence overshadowed by distress, cementing the tango’s pervasive theme of existential despair.

Pa que seguir in historic Context

Composed in 1942, “Pa que seguir” emerges during a time when Argentina and Buenos Aires, in particular, were entrenched in the rich culture of tango. The city was a melting pot of European immigrants and native influences that shaped the tango into an expression of the urban melancholy prevalent among the working and lower-middle classes. This piece reflects mid-20th-century sentiments of post-war disillusionment and personal turmoil, set against the backdrop of a city that served as a vibrant yet often harsh environment for its inhabitants. As Buenos Aires was recovering from political instability and economic challenges, 1942 marked a period ripe for exploring deep emotional and societal issues through music.

Francisco Florentino

Francisco Florentino was a prominent composer in the golden age of tango, known for his powerful melodies that resonated with the emotional intensity characteristic of the genre. His compositions often reflected the social and emotional landscapes of Buenos Aires, capturing the essence of Argentine urban life.