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Se va la vida

Se va la vida is a Tango written by Edgardo Donato and recorded by Edgardo Donato in 1961. The Tango Se va la vida is written by Edgardo Donato, Edgardo Donato has recorded Se va la vida with the singer Andrés Galarce.
“Se va la vida,” meaning “Life goes away” in English, whispers of time’s inevitable passage, echoing in each melancholy note. The music sways like an intimate dance between fleeting moments, carrying both sorrow and beauty in its embrace. It reminds us to cherish each heartbeat and breath, for in the tango of life, each step we take is precious.

Tango

Style

Edgardo Donato

Orchestra

Andrés Galarce

Singer

María Luisa Carnelli

Author

Edgardo Donato

Composer

1961/11/1

Date

Andrés Galarce
Andrés Galarce
Edgardo Donato
Edgardo Donato

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Héctor Varela – Canaro en París – 1964/6/19
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Se va la vida recorded by other Orchestras

Se va la vida recorded by other Orchestras

1961/11/1 – Dos amores – Osvaldo Pugliese
1961/11/1 – Un tropezon – Osvaldo Pugliese
1961/11/1 – A media luz – Edgardo Donato
1961/11/1 – El huracan – Edgardo Donato
1961/11/1 – TBC – Edgardo Donato
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 is running out…
it goes and doesn’t return.
Hear this advice;
if a big shot promises to fix you up,
go straight in, old man.
It goes, young girl,
who can stop it
when not even God can hold it,
it’s best to enjoy it and to send
sorrows rolling away.

I want,
young woman,
that you finally show your true colors,
and to the pitiful
memory
give a hulk of an axe blow.
Tell me, why do you want
to cry over love
and die, perhaps,
of despair.
Don’t beg for the flower
of an unhappy dream
because, maybe,
luck will catch up with you
if you decide.

Life is running out…
it goes and doesn’t return,
hear this advice;
if a big shot promises to fix you up,
go straight in, old man.
Days go by,
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 by…” reflecting on the fleeting nature of existence. The lyrics advise embracing life’s moments, suggesting a conscious decision to not dwell on unfulfilled dreams or regrets. María Luisa Carnelli delicately captures the wisdom of moving on from heartbreak, urging listeners to sever ties with sorrowful memories and mistrustful promises. The repeated phrase, “se va y no vuelve,” underlines the irreversible passage of time, prompting an urgency to live meaningfully.



Symbolism of Se va la vida

Symbolism in “Se va la vida” centers around the passage of time and the inevitability of life’s progression. The phrase “entrá derecho viejo” can be seen as counsel to face life straightforwardly without being distracted by false promises. “Gozarla y largar las penas” which means “enjoy it and let go of the sadness” symbolizes liberation from the chains of past heartaches. The metaphor “le des un golpe de hacha” (give it an axe blow) vividly encourages cutting off the lingering bindings to unfruitful memories or unrequited loves.



Se va la vida in historic Context

“Se va la vida” was written and recorded in Argentina in 1961, a country with deep roots in the history of tango—a dance and music genre that often expresses themes of nostalgia, loss, and the exploitation by the cunning or powerful, often represented by the “bacán” (a slang for a wealthy or influential man). During that era, Argentina was experiencing political and social changes which might have influenced the lyrics’ emphasis on self-reliance and skepticism towards false saviors. Tango, often a reflection of the daily lives and emotions of the working class, arguably served as a medium to voice collective uncertainties and the desire for personal agency.



María Luisa Carnelli

María Luisa Carnelli was an influential Argentine lyricist and poet, active primarily in the early to mid-20th century, known for incorporating poignant, reflective themes into her compositions.