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Tomo y obligo

Tomo y obligo is a Tango written by Carlos Gardel and recorded by Carlos Gardel in 1931. The Tango Tomo y obligo is written by Carlos Gardel, Carlos Gardel has recorded Tomo y obligo with the singer Dir. Francisco Canaro.
“Tomo y obligo,” meaning “I Take and I Order,” is a poignant declaration wrapped in melody. The title suggests a moment of command and surrender, where desires are demanded and hearts compelled. It captures the essence of tango’s passionate dance—a negotiation of power, an embrace of longing, and the bittersweet orchestration of love’s demands.

Tango

Style

Carlos Gardel

Orchestra

Dir. Francisco Canaro

Singer

Manuel Romero

Author

Carlos Gardel

Composer

1931/10/26

Date

Dir. Francisco Canaro
Dir. Francisco Canaro
Carlos Gardel
Carlos Gardel

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Edgardo Donato – El vals de los recuerdos – 1935/4/4
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José De Alto (Dir. José Basso) – Nunca tuvo novio – 1959/9/14
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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.

Tomo y obligo recorded by other Orchestras

Tomo y obligo recorded by other Orchestras

1931/10/26 – La serenata de ayer – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1931/10/26 – Llorar… Por que… – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1931/10/26 – Taconeando – Carlos Gardel
1931/10/26 – Yo no se que me han hecho tus ojos – Carlos Gardel
1931/10/27 – Madreselva (La polla) – Carlos Gardel
Tomo y obligo – 1943/6/10 – Angel d-Agostino – Angel Vargas
Tomo y obligo – 1951/9/11 – Jose Basso – Jorge Duran
Tomo y obligo – 1966/3/8 – Florindo Sassone – Mario Bustos
Tomo y obligo – 1931/10/26 – Carlos Gardel – Dir. Francisco Canaro
Tomo y obligo – 1931/9/28 – Carlos Gardel – Guit. Guillermo Barbieri
Angel Domingo Riverol
Domingo Julio Vivas
Tomo y obligo – 1931/10/9 – Francisco Canaro – Charlo
Tomo y obligo – 1969/11/26 – Francisco Canaro – Argentino Ledesma

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Tomo y obligo

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

Letra del Tango Tomo y obligo

Tomo y obligo, mándese un trago,

que hoy necesito el recuerdo matar;

sin un amigo lejos del pago

quiero en su pecho mi pena volcar.

Beba conmigo, y si se empaña

de vez en cuando mi voz al cantar,

no es que la llore porque me engaña,

yo sé que un hombre no debe llorar.



Si los pastos conversaran, esta pampa le diría

de qué modo la quería, con qué fiebre la adoré.

Cuántas veces de rodillas, tembloroso, yo me he hincado

bajo el árbol deshojado donde un día la besé.

Y hoy al verla envilecida y a otros brazos entregada,

fue para mí una puñalada y de celos me cegué,

y le juro, todavía no consigo convencerme

como pude contenerme y ahí nomás no la maté.



Tomo y obligo, mándese un trago;

de las mujeres mejor no hay que hablar,

todas, amigo, dan muy mal pago

y hoy mi experiencia lo puede afirmar.

Siga un consejo, no se enamore

y si una vuelta le toca hocicar,

fuerza, canejo, sufra y no llore

que un hombre macho no debe llorar.

English lyrics of the Tango "Tomo y obligo"

I drink and insist, have a drink,

for today I need to kill the memory;

without a friend, far from home

I want to pour my sorrow into your chest.

Drink with me, and if occasionally

my voice fogs up while singing,

it’s not that I cry because she deceives me,

I know a man should not cry.

If the grass could talk, this plain would tell you

how much I loved her, with what fever I adored her.

How many times on my knees, trembling, I’ve knelt

under the leafless tree where I once kissed her.

And now seeing her degraded and given to other arms,

it was like a stabbing for me, and I was blinded by jealousy,

and I swear, I still can’t convince myself

how I managed to contain myself and didn’t kill her right there.

I drink and insist, have a drink;

it’s better not to talk about women,

all of them, my friend, provide very poor returns

and today my experience can affirm it.

Take one advice, don’t fall in love,

and if one day you crash,

be strong, damn it, suffer and don’t cry

because a real man should not cry.

Tomo y obligo by Manuel Romero

Tomo y obligo is a Tango written by Manuel Romero and composed by Carlos Gardel.

Story behind the Tango Tomo y obligo

“Tomo y obligo” translates to “I take and I demand” in English, a phrase that encapsulates the Tango’s tone of emotional assertiveness and self-compulsion in facing sorrow. The song narrates the story of a man, far from home and without any friends, who seeks to drown his memories of a deceitful love in alcohol and shared confidences. Through the communal act of drinking (“Tomo y obligo, mándese un trago”), he tries to ease his pain and share his story, adopting a stoic outlook towards the bitterness of lost love.



Symbolism of Tomo y obligo

The lyrics of “Tomo y obligo” are laden with symbolism that deepens the emotional experience. The repetition of the phrase “Tomo y obligo” symbolizes an attempt to assert control over the uncontrollable—his feelings of heartache and betrayal. The reference to the pampas conversing about his past love (“Si los pastos conversaran”) utilizes nature as a witness to his once fervent love, now soured. The act of drinking together, a shared vulnerability with another, illuminates the communal aspect of dealing with grief. Drinking not only numbs the pain but also mandates a form of solidarity in suffering.



Tomo y obligo in historic Context

The tango “Tomo y obligo” was recorded in 1931, a time when Tango music expressed the deep emotional struggles and societal issues of Argentina. This period in Argentine history was marked by significant political and economic changes, alongside a rising sentiment of nationalism and nostalgia for simpler times. The portrayal of personal betrayal could be seen as a metaphor for the broader societal disillusionment felt by many. The historical context adds layers to the interpretation, where personal sorrow reflects collective societal experiences.



Manuel Romero

Manuel Romero was a prolific Argentine filmmaker and screenwriter, known for his deep contributions to the Tango genre and Argentine cinema. His works often explored themes of love, betrayal, and the quintessential Argentine experience.