Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Serpentina de esperanza is a Tango written by Afner Gatti and composed by José Canet.
The lyrics of “Serpentina de esperanza” depict a vivid scene of a carnival, portraying a blend of joy, masked sadness, and fleeting romance. The carnival represents life’s ephemeral nature, filled with moments of happiness that disguise underlying struggles. The imagery of people wearing costumes and masks during the celebration symbolizes the facades people maintain to cope with life’s challenges. The reference to a “carrousel” and characters such as a pierrot and a harlequin highlights the ups and downs of life, emphasizing a theatrical interpretation of human emotions and relationships.
The term “serpentina de esperanza” translates to “streamer of hope” in English, symbolizing the tangled, colorful, but fragile hopes that people cling to amidst life’s turmoil. “Esta noche bajo el arco de la vida” implies the archway of life, underlining the idea that life is a passage or a gateway filled with fleeting encounters and experiences. “La caravana bullanguera” which translates to “the noisy caravan” suggests the ongoing journey of life, noisy and vibrant, yet transient. The conclusion, “el carnaval no ha terminado y prosigue en las almas de los dos”, or “the carnival has not ended and continues in the souls of both”, infers that, despite physical separations, the emotional and experiential bond they share persists, echoing the undying nature of true connections.
Recorded in 1935 in Argentina, “Serpentina de esperanza” was written during a period marked by political and social upheaval. The 1930s in Argentina were a time of significant change, with the rise of nationalism and the impact of the worldwide Great Depression. The choice of carnival as a setting may reflect a common desire for escape from the harsh realities of everyday life, using the joyous yet superficial celebration as a metaphor for the fleeting distractions people seek during challenging times. This setting and the themes could also be reflective of the broader cultural movement in Argentina, which often celebrated local traditions and stories through tango.
Afner Gatti, an enigmatic figure in the tango world, contributed notable lyrics that captured the emotional complexities of life, love, and societal issues.