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Silbando

Silbando is a Tango written by Sebastián Piana and recorded by Armando Pontier in 1956. The Tango Silbando is written by Sebastián Piana, Armando Pontier has recorded Silbando with the singer Julio Sosa.
“Silbando,” or “Whistling,” captures the gentle flow of melodies that drift like a breeze through the heart of the tango. It’s a call to the soul, a reminder of fleeting whispers in the night, carrying tales of longing and passion. Through its notes, it conveys the vivid dance of nostalgia and hope in every breath.

Tango

Style

Armando Pontier

Orchestra

Julio Sosa

Singer

José González Castillo

Author

Sebastián Piana

Composer

1956/10/17

Date

Julio Sosa
Julio Sosa
Armando Pontier
Armando Pontier

Discover Other Orchestras

Rodolfo Biagi – Griseta – 1939/10/26
Rodolfo Biagi – Lisón – 1944/4/11
Rodolfo Biagi – Lonjazos (Rezo gaucho) – 1943/12/7
Rodolfo Biagi – Indiferencia – 1942/9/10
Rodolfo Biagi – Estas llorando – 1953/12/12
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – El bosque mágico – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – La sombra de tu sonrisa (The shadow of your smile) – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Fuegos artificiales – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Malambo de las campanas – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Laura – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Milonguero viejo – 1957/7/17
Horacio Salgán – Los mareados – 1952/5/30
Horacio Salgán – Las mirlas – 1951/5/7
Horacio Salgán – La gayola – 1962/1/1
Horacio Salgán – Responso – 1957/7/17
Ricardo Malerba – Linda – 1956/9/13
Ricardo Malerba – La piba de los jazmines – 1943/1/18
Ricardo Malerba – Encuentro – 1944/10/16
Ricardo Malerba – El preso n°9 – 1958/1/1
Ricardo Malerba – Sali del paso Manolo – 1941/9/25

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.

Silbando recorded by other Orchestras

Silbando recorded by other Orchestras

1956/10/17 – Buenos Aires – Armando Pontier
1956/10/19 – Sonatina – Carlos di Sarli
1956/10/19 – Y todavia te quiero – Carlos di Sarli
1956/10/19 – Cafe para dos – Miguel Calo
1956/10/19 – Mi promesa – Miguel Calo
Silbando – 1952/5/13 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Hector Pacheco
Silbando – 1956/10/17 – Armando Pontier – Julio Sosa
Silbando – 1955/1/1 – Horacio Salgan – Angel Diaz

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Silbando

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

Letra del Tango Silbando

Una calle en Barracas al Sud,

una noche de verano,

cuando el cielo es más azul

y más dulzón el canto del barco italiano…

Con su luz mortecina, un farol

en la sombra parpadea

y en un zaguán

está un galán

hablando con su amor…



Y, desde el fondo del Dock,

gimiendo en lánguido lamento,

el eco trae el acento

de un monótono acordeón,

y cruza el cielo el aullido

de algún perro vagabundo

y un reo meditabundo

va silbando una canción…



Una calle… Un farol… Ella y él…

y, llegando sigilosa,

la sombra del hombre aquel

a quien lo traicionó una vez la ingrata moza…

Un quejido y un grito mortal

y, brillando entre la sombra,

el relumbrón

con que un facón

da su tajo fatal…



Y desde el fondo del Dock,

gimiendo en lánguido lamento,

el eco trae el acento

de un monótono acordeón…

Y, al son que el fuelle rezonga

y en el eco se prolonga

el alma de la milonga

va cantando su emoción.

English lyrics of the Tango "Silbando"

A street in Barracas al Sud,

a summer night,

when the sky is bluer

and the song of the Italian boat is sweeter…

With its dim light, a lantern

flickers in the shadows

and in a hallway

there’s a suitor

speaking with his love…

And, from the depths of the Dock,

moaning in languid lament,

the echo carries the tone

of a monotonous accordion,

and across the sky howls

of some stray dog

and a thoughtful crook

goes whistling a song…

A street… A lantern… She and he…

and, arriving stealthily,

the shadow of that man

whom the ungrateful girl once betrayed…

A moan and a deadly scream

and, shining in the shadow,

the glint

with which a knife

delivers its fatal cut…

And from the depths of the Dock,

moaning in languid lament,

the echo carries the tone

of a monotonous accordion…

And, to the sound the bellows grumble

and in the echo it prolongs

the soul of the milonga

goes singing its emotion.

Silbando by José González Castillo

Silbando is a Tango written by José González Castillo and composed by Sebastián Piana.



Story behind the Tango Silbando

The poignant tango “Silbando” captures a dramatic scene set on the streets of Barracas al Sud, a neighborhood known for its gritty reality. The song narrates a summer night filled with poignant imagery: the blinking of a dim streetlight, the lament of an accordion, and a tragic encounter between former lovers. The narrative weaves themes of betrayal, love, and ultimate revenge culminating in a fatal stabbing, illustrated vividly through the haunting whistle of a contemplative criminal and the eerie echo of an accordion.



Symbolism of Silbando

The lyrics of “Silbando” are rich with symbols that add depth to the narrative. The “monótono acordeón” symbolizes the repetitive and inevitable nature of fate — the same monotonous tune accompanying different episodes of life, possibly hinting at the unavoidable destiny of the characters. The whistle, or the act of ‘silbando’, is especially symbolic; it portrays a casual, almost nonchalant attitude towards life and death, a chilling representation of the character’s resolution and detachment. Furthermore, the imagery of the “farol” or streetlight flickering in the darkness encapsulates the uncertainty and fleeting nature of life and fate in Barracas al Sud.



Silbando in Historic Context

Recorded in 1956, “Silbando” emerges from a period rich in Argentine history where tango was both an expression of personal emotion and a reflection of the social climate. Post-World War II Argentina was marked by political instability and social upheaval. In this context, tango became a vessel for expressing the common man’s struggles and disillusionments. “Silbando” uses the local backdrop of Barracas al Sud, a notably tough neighborhood, to paint a vivid picture of betrayal and the harsh realities of love and vengeance, themes that resonated deeply with the Argentine populace of the time.



José González Castillo

José González Castillo was a prominent Argentine playwright, poet, and tango lyricist recognized for his influential works in the early 20th century.