Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Potrero

Potrero is a Tango written by Santos Lípesker and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1948. The Tango Potrero is written by Santos Lípesker, Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Potrero with the singer Roberto Ray.
“Potrero,” meaning “Pasture” in English, echoes the expansive, untamed beauty of open fields. This piece, with its sweeping melodies, conjures images of wild horses grazing freely, the wind whispering through the tall grasses. In its notes, one feels the dance of freedom and the timeless rhythm of a landscape untouched by the confines of time.

Letra del Tango Potrero

Fue un domingo por la tarde
Que plantaron la “granate”,
Te llevaron a remate
Y un fulano, te compró.
De un chalé que nunca se hizo,
Y tu piso
Entre yuyos se perdió.

Pero un día de esos días
Que se dan en esta vida,
Fuiste tierra prometida
Para un pibe que te vio.
Te clavaron cuatro estacas
Te adornaron con ribetes,
Y una tarde, en tu tapete
“La de gajos” te besó.

Potrero…
Hoy que juego en la primera,
Mi recuerdo se entrevera
Con mi página mejor
Potrero…
Sos espejo de la infancia,
Aun me embriaga la fragancia
Que perfuma tu verdor.

Potrero…
Fuiste cuna de campeones,
Sensación de corazones
Que jugaban con tesón.
Y siento…
Cuando evoco tu gramilla,
Que una cálida cosquilla
Me acaricia el corazón.

English lyrics of the Tango "Potrero"

It was a Sunday afternoon
when they laid down the “garnet” field,
They took you to auction
And a guy, he bought you.
From a chalet that never was,
And your floor
Got lost among the weeds.

But one day of those days
That happen in this life,
You became the promised land
For a kid who saw you.
They hammered in four stakes
Decorated you with trims,
And one afternoon, on your mat
“The segmented” one kissed you.

Field…
Now that I play in the first division,
My memory intertwines
With my finest page
Field…
You are the mirror of childhood,
Still, the fragrance intoxicates me
That perfumes your greenery.

Field…
You were the cradle of champions,
A sensation of hearts
That played with zest.
And I feel…
When I evoke your grass,
That a warm tickle
Caresses my heart.

Potrero by Antonio Bergmann

Potrero is a Tango written by Antonio Bergmann and composed by Santos Lípesker.


Story behind the Tango Potrero

“Potrero” tells a poignant narrative centering around a local soccer field, which is a common ground where dreams and childhood memories intertwine with the reality of urban decay and the passing of time. The lyrics start with a transformation of an abandoned plot into a makeshift soccer field, detailed through a transaction and the hopeful yet makeshift redevelopment of the land. As the song progresses, this humble field becomes a memorable place where significant moments of youth and aspiration take place, emphasizing emotional attachment and local identity.


Symbolism of Potrero

The term “Potrero” holds a deep significance in the context of the song, symbolizing more than just a physical location—it represents a gateway to nostalgia, dreams, and the innocence of youth characterized by playing soccer. Phrases like “Fuiste cuna de campeones” (You were a cradle of champions) and “Sensación de corazones” (Sensation of hearts) illustrate the field’s symbolic role as birthplace of passion and lifelong memories. Furthermore, references to the physical transformation of this space from a neglected land to a cherished playground, decorated with ribbons for games, symbolize how cherished and significant even the simplest places can become in our personal histories.


Potrero in historic Context

The timing of the song, written in 1948, is significant as it aligns with the post-World War II era, a time when Argentina, like much of the world, was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The song’s setting in a neighborhood soccer field reflects a formative period in Argentine culture when soccer was becoming not only a national pastime but also a pivotal element of local communities. This illustration of local identity and communal history through a neighborhood ‘potrero’ serves as a microcosm for the country’s larger national identity, highlighting a local, grassroots soccer culture that would eventually become world-renowned.


Antonio Bergmann

Antonio Bergmann was an essential figure in Argentine Tango, who captured the spirit of his times through music and lyrics that spoke deeply to the local culture and emotional landscape of Argentina.