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San Pedro y San Pablo

San Pedro y San Pablo is a Tango written by Ismael Spitalnik and recorded by Aníbal Troilo in 1963. The Tango San Pedro y San Pablo is written by Ismael Spitalnik, Aníbal Troilo has recorded San Pedro y San Pablo with the singer Roberto Goyeneche.
“San Pedro y San Pablo,” or “Saint Peter and Saint Paul,” weaves a tale in notes and rhythm, capturing the essence of strength and unity. This piece dances between the steadfast faith of Peter and the profound insight of Paul, merging their stories into an elegant tango. It celebrates the harmonious balance of resilience and wisdom, echoing through each resonant chord.

Tango

Style

Aníbal Troilo

Orchestra

Roberto Goyeneche

Singer

Julio Huasi

Author

Ismael Spitalnik

Composer

1963/6/11

Date

Roberto Goyeneche
Roberto Goyeneche
Aníbal Troilo
Aníbal Troilo

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Enrique Rodríguez – La rumbita candombé – 1943/4/16
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Carlos Gardel – Rumores – 1926/12/17
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Carlos Gardel – Se acabaron los otarios (b) – 1927/3/30
Carlos Gardel – Ramona – 1928/10/11
LOS SEÑORES DEL TANGO – Milonguero viejo – 1962/10/8
Francini-Pontier – Pichuco – 1946/11/13
Francini-Pontier – Pecado – 1952/2/20
Francini-Pontier – Cobrate y dame el vuelto – 1946/10/21
Francini-Pontier – Cuatro líneas para el cielo – 1949/1/28
Francini-Pontier – Inspiración – 1973/1/1

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.

San Pedro y San Pablo recorded by other Orchestras

San Pedro y San Pablo recorded by other Orchestras

1963/6/10 – Clavel del aire – Juan D-Arienzo
1963/6/10 – Ninorhupa – Enrique Rodriguez
1963/6/10 – Punte Pexoa – Enrique Rodriguez
1963/6/8 – Caminito – Juan D-Arienzo
1963/6/7 – A las estrellas – Miguel Calo
San Pedro y San Pablo – 1959/6/4 – Anibal Troilo – Roberto Goyeneche
San Pedro y San Pablo – 1963/6/11 – Anibal Troilo – Roberto Goyeneche

Lyrics Translation of the Tango San Pedro y San Pablo

This is the translation of the Tango “San Pedro y San Pablo” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “San Pedro y San Pablo” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango San Pedro y San Pablo

Los purretes trajeron la madera,
tablones, sillas rotas, un catre y un cajón.
La montaña se hará pronto una hoguera,
las viejas tendrán brasas, no gastarán carbón.
Y las casas serán rojos fantoches,
millares de fogatas habrá por la ciudad,
surgirá la mañana en plena noche,
paloma y papa asada los pibes comerán.

Fantasmas de aserrín,
y a aquel viejo violín
las cuerdas le sacaron
el alma en el Dzhin-Dzhin (Yin-Yin).
Cantando un ‘Capuchín’
pebetas de carmín,
un viejo distraído
chamusca su botín.

Se cortará el piolín,
la noche tendrá fin, y el viento hará milongas
de cenizas y de hollín.
Un incendio crepita en… cada esquina,
en medio del invierno todos tienen calor,
las muchachas de risa cantarina
los ojos se les queman: fogaratas de amor.
Yo quisiera poner algún muñeco
llenarlo con las penas, la angustia y el sufrir,
y tirarlo cual pobre palo seco
y que se vuelva humo por siempre en mi vivir.

English lyrics of the Tango "San Pedro y San Pablo"

The kids brought the wood,
planks, broken chairs, a cot and a crate.
The pile will soon turn to a blaze,
old women will have embers, won’t spend coal.
And the houses will be red phantoms,
thousands of bonfires will light up the city,
the morning will arise in the midst of night,
pigeons and baked potatoes the kids will eat.

Sawdust ghosts,
and from that old violin
they pulled the strings
the soul in the Dzhin-Dzhin (Yin-Yin).
Singing a ‘Capuchin’
lipstick girls,
an old distracted man
scorches his boot.

The string will snap,
the night will end, and the wind will tango
with ashes and soot.
A fire crackles on… every corner,
in the midst of winter everyone feels warm,
girls with ringing laughter
their eyes burn: flames of love.
I wish to place a doll
fill it with pain, anguish and suffering,
and throw it like a poor dry stick
let it turn to smoke forever in my life.

San Pedro y San Pablo by

San Pedro y San Pablo is a Tango written by and composed by Ismael Spitalnik.

Story behind the Tango San Pedro y San Pablo

The tango “San Pedro y San Pablo” paints a vivid tableau of life and celebration, tapping into the essence of communal gatherings and traditions in Buenos Aires. It opens with the imagery of youth and community uniting around elements usually discarded—wood, broken chairs, a cot, and a crate—to create a bonfire. This speaks to resourcefulness and the spirit of coming together to find warmth and light amidst adversity. The lyrics evoke a scene where constraints seem insignificant against the lively energy of unity, capturing a potent mix of nostalgia and celebration.

Symbolism of San Pedro y San Pablo

The lyrics are rich with symbolism, conveying deeper emotions of longing for warmth, both physical and emotional. The bonfire becomes a central metaphor, representing not only literal warmth but a gathering place for shared stories and collective joy. The lines “las casas serán rojos fantoches” suggest homes as vibrant puppets, animated and alive through firelight—a symbol of ephemeral spectacle and transient joy. The repeated notions of burning, from “las cuerdas le sacaron el alma” to “los ojos se les queman,” metaphorically highlight passion, emotion, and a desire to immolate personal sorrows, wishing them away with the transient smoke of life’s pains.

San Pedro y San Pablo in Historic Context

Composed in Buenos Aires in 1963, “San Pedro y San Pablo” reflects the city’s robust cultural and social landscape during a period of both tension and creative expression. The burning motif can be interpreted against the backdrop of Argentina’s political unrest and economic struggles during the mid-20th century—a means of defiance and escapism. The inclusion of humble street touches like “un catre y un cajón” showcases an authentic slice of Buenos Aires life, grounded in its working-class roots, illustrating the community’s resilience and ingenuity in the face of hardship.

Ismael Spitalnik was a renowned tango composer, celebrated for his ability to capture the spirit of Buenos Aires through evocative music and poignant lyrics.