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Trapitos

Trapitos is a Milonga written by José Canet and recorded by Miguel Caló in 1946. The Milonga Trapitos is written by José Canet, Miguel Caló has recorded Trapitos with the singer Raul Iriarte.
“Trapitos,” which translates to “Little Rags” in English, is a charming dance of nostalgia woven into melody. These “Trapitos” symbolize fragments of memories, delicate yet essential, that flutter like old photographs in the breeze of time. In this musical embrace, every note tenderly mends the frayed edges of the past, creating a tapestry of emotion and longing.

Milonga

Style

Miguel Caló

Orchestra

Raul Iriarte

Singer

José Canet

Author

José Canet

Composer

1946/3/15

Date

Raul Iriarte
Raul Iriarte
Miguel Caló
Miguel Caló

Discover Other Orchestras

Carlos Gardel – El corazón me robaste – 1922/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Echaste buena – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Chacarerita del norte – 1926/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Callecita de mi barrio – 1925/1/1
Carlos Gardel – Porque soy reo – 1929/11/13
Roberto Firpo – La despedida – 1936/6/5
Roberto Firpo – Tierra negra – 1927/5/19
Roberto Firpo – Rie corazón (Y rie corazón) – 1930/6/19
Roberto Firpo – Entre aromas de clavel – 1929/9/21
Roberto Firpo – Saturnia – 1927/1/1
Enrique Rodríguez – Historia de amor (2) – 1946/8/27
Enrique Rodríguez – Luna llena – 1945/1/18
Enrique Rodríguez – Tengo mil novias – 1939/10/10
Enrique Rodríguez – Un copetín – 1939/6/5
Enrique Rodríguez – Te quiero ver escopeta – 1939/2/1
Edgardo Donato – Mañana será la mía – 1941/8/6
Edgardo Donato – Mamá – 1931/1/1
Edgardo Donato – Triqui-tra – 1940/1/24
Edgardo Donato – La melodía del corazón – 1940/4/30
Edgardo Donato – El adiós – 1938/4/2

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.

Trapitos recorded by other Orchestras

Trapitos recorded by other Orchestras

1946/3/15 – Loco turbion – Miguel Calo
1946/3/14 – El mismo dolor – Francini-Pontier
1946/3/14 – Que me van a hablar de amor – Francini-Pontier
1946/3/13 – Asi era ella muchachos – Ricardo Tanturi
1946/3/13 – Esta noche hay una fiesta – Ricardo Tanturi
Trapitos – 1946/3/15 – Miguel Calo – Raul Iriarte
Trapitos – 1946/5/17 – Francini-Pontier – Alberto Podesta

Lyrics Translation of the Milonga Trapitos

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

Letra del Milonga Trapitos

Ante todo, buenas tardes

al patrón y a la patrona,

al patrón y a la patrona,

y a la gente que razona

dejando a un lado el alarde.

He llegado un poco tarde

porque no sé qué me pasa

que mi paso se retrasa

y mi pecho se resiente,

cuando se cruza en la mente

la que era dueña de casa.



Yo le di mi amor sincero

a una tal María Rosario,

a una tal María Rosario,

que la tengo a flor de labios

porque la quise y la quiero.

Y aunque el tiempo compañero

a cualquier parte me lleve,

mi cabeza blanca en nieve

pensará en María Rosario

que me dejó solitario

cuando cumplí veintinueve.



Lo que fue de entero paño

hoy es fleco de trapito,

hoy es fleco de trapito,

que se cae de a pedacitos

sobre el recuerdo de antaño,

Siento el peso de los años

sobre mis hombros vencidos,

me ha cansado el recorrido

de los tiempos que pasaron,

y por si no se enteraron

tengo sesenta cumplidos.

English lyrics of the Milonga "Trapitos"

First of all, good afternoon

to the master and the mistress,

to the master and the mistress,

and to people who think clearly

leaving aside all pretense.

I’ve arrived a bit late

because I don’t know what’s with me

that my step lags behind

and my chest feels tight,

when she who was once the lady of the house

crosses my mind.

I gave my sincere love

to one María Rosario,

to one María Rosario,

whom I keep on the tip of my tongue

because I loved her and still do.

And although time, my comrade,

may take me anywhere,

my snow-white head will think

of María Rosario,

who left me alone

when I was twenty-nine.

What was once whole cloth

is now a fringe of rag,

is now a fringe of rag,

that falls in little pieces

over memories of old times.

I feel the weight of the years

on my defeated shoulders,

the journey has worn me out

through the times that have passed,

and just in case you weren’t informed,

I’ve reached sixty years.

Trapitos by José Canet

Trapitos is a Tango written by José Canet and composed by José Canet.

Story behind the Tango Trapitos

“Trapitos,” which translates to “Little Rags” in English, explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics narrate the voice of an older man reflecting on his past love for a woman named María Rosario. This reflection unfolds as he talks to the owners of a residence where he once had connections. The poignant recounting captures his enduring affection for María, despite the years that have separated them and the transformations in his life since then.


Symbolism of Trapitos

The recurring symbol throughout the song is the ‘trapito’ or little rag. Initially representing something whole and pristine, ‘trapito’ has transitioned into a worn, tattered fragment of its former self, symbolizing the protagonist’s fragmented memories and the decay of time. José Canet uses vivid imagery like “hoy es fleco de trapito” (now is a fringe of a little rag) to signify how cherished past experiences have frayed over time under the weight of nostalgia and age. This symbolism poignantly reflects the protagonist’s emotional state and his grappling with the inevitability of change and memory’s impermanence.


Trapitos in Historical Context

The tango “Trapitos” was created in the mid-1940s, a period marked by significant political and cultural shifts in Argentina. During this time, tango music often reflected deep, introspective themes mirroring societal sentiments. Considering Argentina’s rich tradition of tango as a means of emotional expression and social commentary, Canet’s lyrics resonate with universal motifs of aging, the bittersweet nature of memories, and the persistence of past loves. The reference to specific life milestones, such as turning twenty-nine and then reflecting back at sixty, provides a personal timeline against the backdrop of broader historical narratives.


José Canet

José Canet was an influential tango composer and lyricist, known for his poignant lyrics and memorable melodies.