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Trapo viejo

Trapo viejo is a Tango written by Pedro Noda and recorded by Alfredo De Angelis in 1952. The Tango Trapo viejo is written by Pedro Noda, Alfredo De Angelis has recorded Trapo viejo with the singer Carlos Dante.
“Trapo viejo,” which translates to “Old Rag” in English, evokes an aura of nostalgia and faded grandeur. This piece, reminiscent of a crumpled cloth forgotten in the corner, carries with it whispers of past vibrancy and stories untold. As the melody unfurls, it reveals the beauty found in age-worn things, rich with memories and soulful echoes.

Tango

Style

Alfredo De Angelis

Orchestra

Carlos Dante

Singer

Benjamín Tagle Lara

Author

Pedro Noda

Composer

1952/8/5

Date

Carlos Dante
Carlos Dante
Alfredo De Angelis
Alfredo De Angelis

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Miguel Caló – Luna de tartagal – 1962/8/21
Miguel Caló – Un lugar para los dos – 1972/1/1
Miguel Caló – Amor y Tango – 1945/11/3
Rodolfo Biagi – Calla corazón – 1942/4/15
Rodolfo Biagi – Magdala – 1945/1/24
Rodolfo Biagi – El carretón – 1927/8/22
Rodolfo Biagi – La copa del olvido – 1952/11/5
Rodolfo Biagi – Será lo mejor – 1941/3/15
Lucio Demare – Que solo estoy – 1943/12/21
Lucio Demare – La racha – 1938/6/13
Lucio Demare – Mañana zarpa un barco – 1942/7/20
Lucio Demare – Tal vez será mi alcohol (Tal vez será su voz) – 1943/5/6
Lucio Demare – Dónde – (unknown date)
Armando Pontier – Barrio de tango – 1969/8/11
Armando Pontier – Cristal – 1962/4/27
Armando Pontier – Carrousel – 1966/12/16
Armando Pontier – Tarzán carrizo – 1963/1/1
Armando Pontier – Mi cancion de ausencia – 1966/12/15

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.

1952/8/5 – El choclo – Alfredo De Angelis
1952/8/5 – Tradicion – Alfredo De Angelis
1952/8/6 – Corrientes angosta – Florindo Sassone
1952/8/6 – Vieja postal – Florindo Sassone
1952/8/13 – Luis Alberto – Juan D-Arienzo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Trapo viejo

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

Letra del Tango Trapo viejo

Yo soy Trapo Viejo,
así se me nombra,
yo soy una sombra
del guapo que fue;
y al oír de las gentes
decirme: ¡canejo!
ahí va Trapo Viejo,
¡me da no sé qué!
Y ayer cuando firme
mi brazo se alzaba
y a perdida echaba
mi vida, un querer,
se oyó a muchos guapos
allá en la ribera,
decir con Contrera
no van a poder.

Los años pasaron,
tan pronto se fueron,
mis bríos cayeron
mi fama también
y hoy sólo el recuerdo
de aquellas hazañas,
se mezcla entre cañas
en un almacén.
Allí donde triste
guitarra rezonga
la vieja milonga
que entona un cantor.
Y, al traer en sus versos
mi triste recuerdo,
a solas me muerdo
con hondo rencor.

Yo soy Trapo Viejo,
así se me nombra,
yo soy una sombra
del guapo que fue;
y al oír de las gentes
decirme: ¡canejo!
ahí va Trapo Viejo,
¡me da no sé qué!
Quién sabe mañana
si el recuerdo queda
los taitas en rueda
comenten mi haber,
y haciendo mi historia,
se escuche, ¡canejo!
decir Trapo Viejo
fue el guapo de ayer.

English lyrics of the Tango "Trapo viejo"

I am Old Rag,
that’s what they call me,
I am a shadow
of the brave one I once was;
and upon hearing people
say to me: gosh!
there goes Old Rag,
it gives me a certain feeling!
And yesterday when strong
my arm was raised
and with a lost toss,
my life, a love,
many braves were heard
down by the shore,
saying with Contrera
they’re not going to manage.

The years have passed,
so quickly they went,
my strength has fallen
my fame as well
and today only the memory
of those feats,
mixes among drinks
in a storeroom.
There where sad
guitar moans
the old milonga
that a singer intones.
And, as it brings in its verses
my sad memory,
alone I bite down
with deep resentment.

I am Old Rag,
that’s what they call me,
I am a shadow
of the brave one I was;
and upon hearing people
say to me: gosh!
there goes Old Rag,
it gives me a certain feeling!
Who knows tomorrow
if the memory remains
the old boys in circle
might talk of my past,
and making my story,
it may be heard, gosh!
say Old Rag
was the brave one of yesterday.

Trapo viejo by Benjamín Tagle Lara

Trapo viejo is a Tango written by Benjamín Tagle Lara and composed by Pedro Noda.



Story behind the Tango Trapo viejo

“Trapo viejo,” which translates to “Old Rag” in English, narrates the solemn reminiscences of a once-revered man who now feels diminished and forgotten. The evocative phrase “Trapo viejo” itself symbolizes the protagonist’s self-view as worn-out and discarded, resonating deeply with themes of aging, loss of vigor, and nostalgia for the days of youthful strength. The lyrics poignantly capture the dissolution from a respected and formidable figure to someone confronting the inevitable shadows of obsolescence.



Symbolism of Trapo viejo

The tango is rich in symbolism and utilizes evocative language to deepen the emotional expression. The repeated line, “Yo soy Trapo Viejo,” is both a declaration and a lament, emphasizing the juxtaposition between the past and the current perception of the self. The transformation of the protagonist from “el guapo que fue” (the handsome one that was) to “Trapo Viejo” underscores a universal fear of irrelevance. The line “se mezcla entre cañas en un almacén” symbolizes the speaker mingling unnoticed, possibly in a tavern or storage place, enhancing feelings of fading into the forgotten backgrounds of life.



Trapo viejo in historic Context

Written in 1952 by Benjamín Tagle Lara, “Trapo Viejo” offers a reflective view on individual transformations in post-war Argentina. During this period, cultural identities were shifting, with many individuals feeling displaced or left behind by rapid modernization and societal changes. The use of specific slang terms such as “guapo” (which historically referred to a tough or brave man) and “taitas” (an old Lunfardo term for boss or father) provides a connection to traditional Argentine values, which perhaps feel distant or nostalgic from the perspective of 1952.



Benjamín Tagle Lara

Benjamín Tagle Lara was an Argentinian lyricist known for his contributions to tango. His lyrics often reflected societal norms and human emotions, capturing the essence of Argentine culture.