Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Se va la vida

Se va la vida is a Tango written by Edgardo Donato and recorded by Alfredo De Angelis in 1959. The Tango Se va la vida is written by Edgardo Donato, Alfredo De Angelis has recorded Se va la vida with the singer Juan Carlos Godoy.
“Se va la vida” translates to “Life is leaving” in English. This piece, be it a tango or a soulful ballad, captures the fleeting nature of existence, evoking a sense of longing and introspection. It is a poignant reminder of the delicate dance between holding on and letting go, as life gracefully slips through our fingers.

Tango

Style

Alfredo De Angelis

Orchestra

Juan Carlos Godoy

Singer

María Luisa Carnelli

Author

Edgardo Donato

Composer

1959/4/6

Date

Juan Carlos Godoy
Juan Carlos Godoy
Alfredo De Angelis
Alfredo De Angelis

Discover Other Orchestras

Francisco Rotundo – Sin barco y sin amor – 1955/6/9
Francisco Rotundo – No es más que yo – 1952/12/23
Francisco Rotundo – Entre sueños – 1950/3/23
Francisco Rotundo – Pa’ mí es igual (Siempre amigos) – 1954/9/21
Francisco Rotundo – Bien bohemio – 1954/4/12
Carlos Gardel – Nelly – 1928/12/22
Carlos Gardel – Hacete tonadillera – 1923/1/1
Carlos Gardel – El cardo azul – 1929/12/31
Carlos Gardel – La pastora – 1918/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Trovas – 1931/9/28
José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Yo no sé por qué te quiero – 1959/9/14
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) – Milonguita (Esthercita) – 1959/9/14
Carlos di Sarli – Cascabelito – 1941/6/6
Carlos di Sarli – Cosas olvidadas – 1940/6/19
Carlos di Sarli – Al compás del corazón (Late un corazón) – 1953/12/18
Carlos di Sarli – Tus palabras y la noche – 1954/9/14
Carlos di Sarli – El pollo Ricardo – 1940/9/23

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.

Se va la vida recorded by other Orchestras

Se va la vida recorded by other Orchestras

1959/4/6 – El tamborilero – Osvaldo Fresedo
1959/4/6 – Milonguero viejo – Osvaldo Fresedo
1959/4/6 – Anoche estuve llorando – Alfredo De Angelis
1959/4/24 – La barranca – Angel d-Agostino
1959/4/24 – La violetera – Angel d-Agostino
Se va la vida – 1936/10/7 – Edgardo Donato – Horacio Lagos
Se va la vida – 1950/10/16 – Edgardo Donato – Carlos Almada
Se va la vida – 1961/11/1 – Edgardo Donato – Andres Galarce
Se va la vida – 1959/4/6 – Alfredo De Angelis – Juan Carlos Godoy

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Se va la vida

This is the translation of the Tango “Se va la vida” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Se va la vida” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Se va la vida

Se va la vida…
se va y no vuelve.
Escuchá este consejo;
si un bacán te promete acomodar,
entrá derecho viejo.
Se va, pebeta,
quién la detiene
si ni Dios la sujeta,
lo mejor es gozarla y largar
las penas a rodar.

Yo quiero,
muchacha,
que al fin mostrés la hilacha
y al mishio
recuerdo
le des un golpe de hacha.
Decí, pa qué queres
llorar un amor
y morir, tal vez,
de desesperanza.
No rogués la flor
de un sueño infeliz
porque, a lo mejor,
la suerte te alcanza
si te decidís.

Se va la vida…
se va y no vuelve,
escuchá este consejo;
si un bacán te promete acomodar,
entrá derecho viejo.
Pasan los días,
pasan los años,
es fugaz la alegría,
no pensés en dolor ni en virtud,
viví tu juventud.

English lyrics of the Tango "Se va la vida"

Life slips away…
it leaves and doesn’t return.
Listen to this advice;
if a big shot promises to sort things out,
go straight at it, old man.
It goes, young girl,
who can stop it
if not even God can hold it,
the best is to enjoy it and let
the sorrows roll away.

I want,
girl,
that you finally show your true colors
and to the dreary
memory,
you give a hatchet blow.
Tell me, why would you want
to cry over a love
and perhaps die,
from despair.
Don’t beg for the flower
of a sad dream
because, maybe,
luck might find you
if you decide to.

Life slips away…
it leaves and doesn’t return,
listen to this advice;
if a big shot promises to sort things out,
go straight at it, old man.
Days pass,
years go by,
joy is fleeting,
don’t think about pain or virtue,
live your youth.

Se va la vida by María Luisa Carnelli

Se va la vida is a Tango written by María Luisa Carnelli and composed by Edgardo Donato.



Story behind the Tango Se va la vida

“Se va la vida” translates to “Life goes away” in English, carrying an implication of life’s fleeting nature and the urgency to live it fully. The lyrics open with a warning about the swift passage of time and how life does not return once it’s gone. Carnelli uses the voice of a narrator offering advice to embrace life, warning against wasting time on unrealized promises or false hopes—embodied in the phrase “si un bacán te promete acomodar” (if a big shot promises to settle you). These words speak to the practical and often harsh realities of life’s opportunities slipping away.



Symbolism of Se va la vida

The recurring phrase “Se va la vida” acts as a poignant reminder of life’s transitory nature. Carnelli adeptly uses the symbolism of life as something that once “goes away,” does not return, highlighting the necessity to seize the day. Key phrases such as “lo mejor es gozarla y largar las penas a rodar” (it’s best to enjoy it and let the sorrows roll away) advocate for a life lived in the present, unburdened by past afflictions. This embrace of immediacy is further symbolized by the instruction to discard the “mishio recuerdo” (miserable memory) with an “axe blow,” signifying a sharp, decisive move away from lingering on past sorrows.



Se va la vida in historic Context

1959 Argentina faced significant political and social changes, which could be subtly reflected in Carnelli’s evocation of urgency and cautious advice. This era was marked by political instability and economic turbulence, and these circumstances might have influenced Carnelli’s focus on life’s uncertainty and the importance of seizing opportunities. The direct advice, as if speaking to a younger generation (“pebeta”, meaning young woman), hints at a societal tendency to align with more progressive thoughts on personal freedoms and self-emancipation during tumultuous times.



María Luisa Carnelli

María Luisa Carnelli was a prominent figure in Argentine literature and tango lyricism, producing profound works filled with emotional and cultural depth.