Un alma buena by José María Contursi

Un alma buena is a Tango written by José María Contursi and composed by Aquiles Aguilar.

Story behind the Tango Un alma buena

The Tango “Un alma buena” unfolds a heart-wrenching narrative of loss and mourning, articulated through vivid and deeply emotive lyrical imagery. The protagonist recounts the painful moment of learning about a loved one’s death, described with the piercing simile of a knife stabbing into skin, reaching the heart with criminal ferocity. This dramatic announcement intensifies the agony, engulfing the speaker’s existence with profound loneliness adorned with “duendes de dolor” (sprites of pain), highlighting an intense, personal grief.

Symbolism of Un alma buena

Key phrases in the song such as “Como el grito de un puñal” and “Es el grito de un puñal” symbolize the sharp, sudden pain of unexpected loss, suggestively connecting emotional and physical torment. The recurring mention of being unrecognized “Nadie me conoce aquí” alongside the phrase “Es un alma buena” suggests a disparity between the external perception of the character as a ‘good soul’ and the profound internal suffering he endures. This serves to underline themes of isolation, misunderstanding, and the silent struggles that often lie behind a calm exterior.

Un alma buena in historic Context

Released in post-World War II Argentina, during a time characterized by political and social change, this Tango from 1952 resonates with a broader sense of loss and melancholia that could be reflective of the national psyche. The mournful tone and themes of lamentation in “Un alma buena” echo the emotional states of many during this period, making it a poignant reflection of the era’s sentiment. The use of religious imagery, like the mention of beseeching forgiveness before a Christ figure, ties into the cultural and spiritual inclinations of the Argentine populace, serving as a call for solace and understanding in troubled times.

José María Contursi

José María Contursi was a prolific Argentine lyricist known for his deeply evocative and often melancholic Tango lyrics.