Patio mío by Aníbal Troilo

Patio mío is a Tango written by and composed by Aníbal Troilo.

Story behind the Tango Patio mío

The tango “Patio mío” is a deeply nostalgic piece that captures sentiments of longing and connection to a particular place imbued with personal history. The lyrics evoke the image of a courtyard, which becomes a vessel of memories associated with family, childhood, and past experiences. The courtyard is not just a physical space but a testament to the passage of time and the inevitability of change. It is a poignant recollection of moments spent, people lost, and the enduring attachment that persists despite life’s impermanence.

Symbolism of Patio mío

The courtyard symbolizes the heart’s simplicity and enduring wounds, epitomized through the description of “el corazón sencillo, lastimado,” which suggests vulnerability and past suffering. “Ladrillos y portón” speak to the physical durability and structure; however, they juxtapose the fragility of human memories tied to such places. The “banda de zabalaje” and “bandoneón” serve as musical metaphors for companionship and shared experiences, underscoring the communal aspect of the courtyard and its role in social memory. Key phrases such as “borracho de caña fuerte” paint a vivid picture of life’s hardships and escapes; it’s a metaphor for indulgence in vices as a means to cope with reality. The lyric “te reza su responso un bandoneón” poetically attributes the role of a religious ritual to music, emphasizing its sacred status in preserving memories against oblivion.

Patio mío in historic Context

Created in Buenos Aires in 1965, “Patio mío” emerges in a time when tango was experiencing a revival amidst political and social turbulence in Argentina. The cultural backdrop is critical as tango often mirrored the lives of common people, their struggles, and their melancholic beauty, providing both solace and expression during uncertain times. The urban imagery of “calle vieja” and “ochava y del buzón” ties it concretely to Buenos Aires, a city where such narratives of nostalgia and resilience are deeply rooted in daily life.

Aníbal Troilo

Aníbal Troilo, a central figure in tango music, was renowned as a bandoneon player and composer, known for his profound emotional depth and contribution to the evolution of tango during the 20th century.