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Por h o por b

Por h o por b is a Milonga written by Edgardo Donato and recorded by Francini-Pontier in 1947. The Milonga Por h o por b is written by Edgardo Donato, Francini-Pontier has recorded Por h o por b with the singer Raúl Berón.
“Por h o por b,” or “By hook or by crook,” is a piece of music that dances between determination and resilience. This evocative tango captures the essence of striving against all odds, embodying a relentless spirit that navigates life’s intricate paths. It weaves a tapestry of passion, urging listeners to find their way, no matter the obstacles.

Milonga

Style

Francini-Pontier

Orchestra

Raúl Berón

Singer

Enrique Dizeo

Author

Edgardo Donato

Composer

1947/11/10

Date

Raúl Berón
Raúl Berón
Francini-Pontier
Francini-Pontier

Discover Other Orchestras

Adolfo Carabelli – Por dónde andará – 1932/5/24
Adolfo Carabelli – El puñal sevillano – 1932/5/24
Adolfo Carabelli – El trece – 1932/9/27
Adolfo Carabelli – El mundo sigue al revés – 1934/1/1
Adolfo Carabelli – Tango del querer – 1932/2/5
Enrique Francini – Melodia oriental – 1957/4/3
Enrique Francini – Elegante papirusa – 1956/7/27
Enrique Francini – Inspiración – 1970/8/27
Enrique Francini – El choclo – 1977/1/1
Enrique Francini – Mientras viva – 1957/9/18
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Nunca tuvo novio – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Rosicler – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
Carlos di Sarli – Comme il faut – 1955/6/15
Carlos di Sarli – Por qué le llaman amor – 1954/6/30
Carlos di Sarli – Navegante (Vito Dumas) – 1943/8/5
Carlos di Sarli – Algo bueno – 1930/1/24
Carlos di Sarli – El recodo – 1951/10/23

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.

1947/11/10 – La beba – Francini-Pontier
1947/11/13 – Cien guitarras – Florindo Sassone
1947/11/13 – Siempre te nombra – Florindo Sassone
1947/11/14 – Al compas del corazon (Late un corazon) – Domingo Federico
1947/11/14 – El adios de Gabino Ezeiza – Domingo Federico

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Por h o por b

This is the translation of the Milonga “Por h o por b” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Milonga “Por h o por b” have been done with AI.

Letra del Milonga Por h o por b

(recitado)

Nunca le dé mucho vuelo

un hombre a su garabita,

si es maula la mocita

¡biaba con la “josefina”!

que un “vichenzo” sin carácter

es un muerto que camina.



No te acomodo un zurdazo

porque sos una mujer,

si no ya te iba a hacer ver

si pega tu cartonazo,

yo que al fajarte un abrazo

te bato así, mi paloma.

No soy dueño, ni por broma,

de preguntarte qué pasa

porque la dueña de casa

ya salta como una goma.



Por h o por b, en la pieza,

no se hace más que chillar,

ni un tango puedo silbar,

que te duele la cabeza.

Por lo visto no interesa

lo que a esta casa hizo gente,

está claro, claramente,

esto no me lo supongo,

si no basta tu rezongo,

queres la chancha y los veinte.



Así como ayer andaba

por tu cariño hecho un ‘colo’,

hoy prefiero vivir solo

o acoplarme a otra garaba.

O andás buscando una biaba

porque vieja mi paciencia,

no te va a dar la licencia

que hace tiempo te está dando,

vos ya te estás avivando

pero sin inteligencia.



Si salgo, arrugás la jeta

y si apolillo también,

para usted nada está bien,

sos una gila completa.

La culpa es de este babieca

que te dio un poco de vuelo,

pero no mires pa’l cielo,

que el dia menos pensado

me vas a encontrar cambiado

y te arrastro por el suelo.

English lyrics of the Milonga "Por h o por b"

(spoken)

Never let a man get too carried away

with his little birdie,

if the girl is a fraudster

duck from the “firing”!

cause a “Vincenzo” without character,

is a dead man walking.

I won’t punch you left

because you’re a woman,

otherwise I would’ve shown you

if your punch card hits,

while I wrap you in an embrace

I tell you, my dove.

I’m not even jokingly your boss,

to ask you what’s wrong

because the lady of the house

already jumps like rubber.

For one reason or another, in the room,

there’s nothing but complaints,

I can’t even whistle a tango,

because your head hurts.

Apparently, it doesn’t matter

what made this house respected,

it’s clear, clearly,

I’m not just imagining this,

if your scolding isn’t enough,

you want both the pig and the twenties.

Just like yesterday I was

crazy about your love,

today I’d rather live alone

or pair up with another chick.

Or you’re looking for a beating

because my patience is old,

it won’t grant you the license

it’s been giving you for a while,

you’re getting wise

but without intelligence.

If I go out, you scowl

and if I chill, the same,

for you, nothing is right,

you’re a complete fool.

The fault lies with this dimwit

who let you fly a bit,

but don’t look to the sky,

because one day, unexpectedly,

you’ll find me changed

and I’ll drag you on the ground.

Por h o por b by Enrique Dizeo

Por h o por b is a Tango written by Enrique Dizeo and composed by Edgardo Donato.



Story behind the Tango Por h o por b

The lyrics of “Por h o por b,” penned by Enrique Dizeo, speaks volumes about the complexities and frustrations of a romantic relationship. The dialogue portrays a man’s lament over his partner’s behavior and the diminishing charm of their love. The title itself, translating to “one way or another” in English, captures the inevitability of confrontation and resolution in relationships, suggesting that things will come to a head no matter what. This tango is a vivid portrayal of domestic disputes and the emotional toll they exact on individuals.



Symbolism of Por h o por b

In Dizeo’s “Por h o por b,” various phrases significantly enhance the emotional depth and symbolism of the piece. For instance, “un hombre a su garabita” (a man to his darling) and “biaba con la ‘josefina'” (fights with the ‘josefina’) use slang effectively to portray a sense of intimacy and informality, suggesting a domestic setting where the informal language of the streets invades the personal space. The phrase “yo que al fajarte un abrazo” (me when hugging you tightly) symbolizes the man’s emotional clinginess or desperation. Another striking line, “queres la chancha y los veinte” (you want everything and more), uses localisms to demonstrate greed or dissatisfaction, suggesting one partner’s unrealistic expectations in the relationship.



Por h o por b in historic Context

Recorded in 1947, “Por h o por b” emerged in a post-World War II Argentina, a period marked by significant social and economic changes. The tango reflects the cultural scenario of Buenos Aires, where tango music often served as a mirror to the societal issues and personal struggles. The tango’s critical tone towards materialism and the stresses of domestic life might reflect the broader societal disillusionment and the strains of urban life in the late 1940s Argentina. The narrative style, mixed with local slang and a poignant reflection on personal conflict, offers insight into the era’s social dynamics and relationships.



Enrique Dizeo

Enrique Dizeo was a notable Argentine lyricist recognized for his deep, often stark portrayals of love and societal issues within his tangos.