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Tomo y obligo

Tomo y obligo is a Tango written by Carlos Gardel and recorded by José Basso in 1951. The Tango Tomo y obligo is written by Carlos Gardel, José Basso has recorded Tomo y obligo with the singer Jorge Duran.
“Tomo y Obligo” translates to “I Drink and I Command” in English. This evocative title captures the essence of a defiant heart, burdened yet bold, navigating the bittersweet dance of passion and regret. The phrase suggests an individual’s struggle for control amidst the intoxicating sway of emotion, a common theme in the intricate rhythms of tango.

Tango

Style

José Basso

Orchestra

Jorge Duran

Singer

Manuel Romero

Author

Carlos Gardel

Composer

1951/9/11

Date

Jorge Duran
Jorge Duran
José Basso
José Basso

Discover Other Orchestras

Juan D’Arienzo – De antaño – 1939/9/27
Juan D’Arienzo – Ganzúa – 1951/9/12
Juan D’Arienzo – Rosita de arrabal – 1960/7/27
Juan D’Arienzo – La clavada – 1940/10/9
Juan D’Arienzo – Papas calientes – 1967/7/27
Ricardo Malerba – Ninguna – 1942/11/19
Ricardo Malerba – La morena de mi copla – 1961/1/1
Ricardo Malerba – Mariana (2) – 1942/10/5
Ricardo Malerba – Amor con amor se paga – 1944/6/30
Ricardo Malerba – Qué tarde que has venido – 1956/9/13
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Fuegos artificiales – 1970/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Caravana – 1971/1/1
Horacio Salgán Y Dante Amicarelli – Laura – 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 – Ritmo fascinante (Vertigo ciudadano) – 1970/1/1
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – El amanecer – 1987/1/1
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Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) – El choclo – 1987/1/1
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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

1951/9/11 – Te odio – Jose Basso
1951/9/12 – La cumparsita – Juan D-Arienzo
1951/9/12 – Amarroto – Juan D-Arienzo
1951/9/12 – El Nene del Abasto – Juan D-Arienzo
1951/9/12 – Sepe nopo ripi tapa – Juan D-Arienzo
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

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"

Drink and I insist, have yourself a drink,
for today I need to kill a memory;
without a friend, far from home,
I want to pour my sorrows into your chest.
Drink with me, and if occasionally
my voice blurs while I sing,
it’s not because I weep for her deceit,
I know a man should not cry.

If the grass could talk, this plain would tell
how deeply I loved her, how fervently I adored her.
How many times, trembling, I knelt
under the leafless tree where I once kissed her.
And now, seeing her debased, surrendered to other arms,
was like a stab to me, and jealousy blinded me,
and I swear, I still can’t convince myself
how I managed to hold back and not kill her right then.

Drink and I insist, have yourself a drink;
it’s better not to talk about women,
all of them, my friend, pay very poorly
and today my experience can confirm it.
Take a piece of advice, do not fall in love,
and if you happen to stumble once,
be strong, damn it, suffer and don’t cry
for 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

The song “Tomo y obligo” tells a story of a man grappling with heartbreak and betrayal. As he drinks, he seeks to unburden his grief on a friend, reflecting on his profound emotional pain caused by a love that was not reciprocated. His recounting transitions from nostalgic memories of passionate love to the bitterness of seeing his beloved with someone else, which evoked feelings so intense that it led him to thoughts of violence—a reflection of both his despair and the cultural expressions of masculinity of his time.



Symbolism of Tomo y obligo

The title “Tomo y obligo,” translating to “I take and I force” or “I drink and compel,” symbolizes the protagonist’s attempt to cope with his pain through alcohol, compelling himself to face his anguish. Phrases like “quiero en su pecho mi pena volcar” (I want to pour my sorrow into his chest) and “todas, amigo, dan muy mal pago” (all, friend, pay very poorly) symbolize the sharing of grief and the disillusionment with unfaithful love. The repeated declaration that “a man must not cry” underscores a societal expectation of stoic masculinity, highlighting a culturally ingrained aversion to male vulnerability.



Tomo y obligo in historic Context

Recorded in 1951, “Tomo y obligo” is embedded in post-World War II Argentina, a period marked by political and economic changes and a rich cultural expression through tango. The persona in the tango embodies the archetypal stoic male of the era, reflecting the machismo that was prevalent in Latin American cultures. This societal backdrop adds layers to the protagonist’s struggle with his emotions and the extreme act of contemplating violence as a response to betrayal, portraying a conflict between personal feelings and societal norms.



Manuel Romero

Manuel Romero was a prolific Argentine author and lyricist known for his deep involvement in the national cinema and music scenes, contributing significantly to the popular culture of his time.