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Papá Baltasar

Papá Baltasar is a Milonga written by Sebastián Piana and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1941. The Milonga Papá Baltasar is written by Sebastián Piana, Aníbal Troilo has recorded Papá Baltasar with the singer Francisco Fiorentino.
“Papá Baltasar” translates to “Father Balthazar” in English. This name evokes the image of a wise and venerable figure, often imagined as a storyteller weaving rich tapestries of history and emotion. In the rhythm of a tango, “Papá Baltasar” dances between shadows and light, capturing the depth of memories and the warmth of familial affection.

Milonga

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Francisco Fiorentino

Singer

Homero Manzi

Author

Sebastián Piana

Composer

1941/4/16

Date

Francisco Fiorentino
Francisco Fiorentino
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

Discover Other Orchestras

Orquesta Típica Victor – Très jolie – 1932/10/5
Orquesta Típica Victor – Piba – 1928/10/8
Orquesta Típica Victor – Mis cinco hijos – 1941/5/23
Orquesta Típica Victor – Las chirlas – 1926/8/3
Orquesta Típica Victor – De punta y hacha – 1928/8/8
Alfredo Gobbi – El engobbiao – 1957/6/18
Alfredo Gobbi – La viruta – 1947/5/16
Alfredo Gobbi – Tu amargura – 1949/7/25
Alfredo Gobbi – El hijo cruel – 1954/12/31
Alfredo Gobbi – No me supiste amar – 1958/7/31
Armando PONTIER – Verdemar – 1960/7/21
Miguel Caló – Después – 1944/1/10
Miguel Caló – Yuyo verde – 1966/9/20
Miguel Caló – Un alma buena – 1972/1/1
Miguel Caló – Nido gaucho – 1966/9/20
Miguel Caló – Cuento azul – 1943/6/11

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.

Papá Baltasar recorded by other Orchestras

Papá Baltasar recorded by other Orchestras

1941/4/16 – Con toda la voz que tengo – Anibal Troilo
1941/4/16 – Te aconsejo que me olvides – Anibal Troilo
1941/4/16 – Mi castigo – Anibal Troilo
1941/4/16 – Pa- que bailen los muchachos – Anibal Troilo
1941/4/18 – El estagiario – Carlos di Sarli
Papa Baltasar – 1941/4/16 – Anibal Troilo – Francisco Fiorentino
Papa Baltasar – 1960/10/14 – Orquesta Simbolo Osmar Maderna – Carlos Aguirre

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Papá Baltasar

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

Letra del Milonga Papá Baltasar

Dormite mi niño Pedro
que está por llegar,
envuelto de nube y cielo,
Papá Baltasar.
Llenita su alforja blanca
con cien matracas,
con un tambor
y un trompo de cuerda larga
y un tren de carga
y un carretón.
Dormite mi niño Pedro
que está por llegar,
al tranco de su camello
Papá Baltasar.

Un ángel nació en Oriente,
el pelo color de té,
lo acompañan dos palomas
y un burrito de Belén.
Tres Reyes buscan su cuna
detrás de una estrella azul.
La madre, madre Maria,
y el niño, Niño Jesús.
De mi niño, niño Pedro,
no te vayas a olvidar.
Que mi niño es el más negro
y el más pobre, Baltasar.

Mi Pedro escribió una carta,
Papá Baltasar.
Y un ángel con alas blancas
la pudo llevar.
Mi niño ya está soñando
con la matraca,
con el tambor.
Y el trompo de cuerda larga
y el tren de carga
y el carretón.
Dormite mi niño Pedro
que está por llegar,
envuelto de nube y cielo,
Papá Baltasar.

Él quiere un soldado nuevo
y una espada y un fusil,
y para subir al cielo
un globito de candil.
Él quiere un payaso blanco,
también un ferrocarril.
Y un oso de pelo largo
y un gatito de aserrín.
De mi niño, niño Pedro,
no te vayas a olvidar.
Que mi niño es el más negro
y el más pobre, Baltasar.

English lyrics of the Milonga "Papá Baltasar"

Sleep, my child Pedro,
he’s about to arrive,
wrapped in clouds and skies,
Papa Balthasar.
His white bag all filled up
with clackers, a hundred
with a drum
and a top with a long string
and a cargo train
and a cart.
Sleep, my child Pedro,
he’s about to arrive,
at his camel’s trot
Papa Balthasar.

An angel was born in the East,
hair colored like tea,
two doves accompany
and a little donkey of Bethlehem.
Three kings are seeking his cradle
underneath a blue star.
The mother, Mother Mary,
and the child, Child Jesus.
Of my child, child Pedro,
don’t you forget at all.
For my child is the darkest
and the poorest, Balthasar.

My Pedro wrote a letter,
Papa Balthasar.
And an angel with white wings
was able to deliver it.
My child is already dreaming
of the clacker,
of the drum.
And the top with a long string
and the cargo train
and the cart.
Sleep, my child Pedro,
he’s about to arrive,
wrapped in clouds and skies,
Papa Balthasar.

He wants a new soldier
and a sword and a gun,
and to ascend to the sky
a small lantern balloon.
He wants a white clown,
also a railroad.
And a long-haired bear
and a sawdust kitten.
Of my child, child Pedro,
don’t you forget at all.
For my child is the darkest
and the poorest, Balthasar.

Papá Baltasar by

Papá Baltasar is a Tango written by and composed by Sebastián Piana.

Story behind the Tango Papá Baltasar

In “Papá Baltasar,” we find a touching lullaby for a child named Pedro, filled with dreams and the enchanting arrival of Baltasar, one of the Three Wise Men. The narrative is heartwarming as it interweaves the innocence of a child’s dreams with cultural and religious traditions, creating an atmosphere of hope and expectation. The piece is both a tender invocation and a gentle plea from the parent, for Baltasar not to forget their child Pedro despite their humble and impoverished state.

Symbolism of Papá Baltasar

The symbolism in this tango is rich and multilayered. Baltasar represents hope, joy, and the fulfillment of dreams, embodied in his gifts and presence. Key phrases such as “Papá Baltasar” evoke a loving, paternal figure bringing happiness, while the “nube y cielo” (clouds and sky) suggest a celestial, almost magical quality of arrival. The repeated assurance to Pedro that Baltasar is coming underscores an unwavering faith in a brighter future, even for the “más negro y el más pobre” (the blackest and poorest), emphasizing both racial identity and socio-economic challenges.

Papá Baltasar in historic Context

Written in Buenos Aires in 1941, the tango reflects the profound cultural ties to Catholic traditions, particularly the celebration of Epiphany and the journey of the Magi. At a time when Argentina was experiencing social and economic upheavals, the song may resonate as a heartfelt message of hope amid adversity. The reference to the “Niño Jesús” and the journey from the East situates the narrative during a significant religious event, adding depth to its cultural resonance as families came together to cherish small joys during harsh times.

Sebastián Piana was an influential composer known for his contributions to the tango genre, shaping its development during the 20th century.