Un copetín by José Fernández

Un copetín is a Tango written by José Fernández and composed by Juan Maglio.

Story behind the Tango Un copetín

The tango “Un copetín” seems to weave a narrative of reflection and melancholy centered around memories of a past love. The literal translation of “Un copetín” to English is “A little drink.” The lyrics recount a man’s yearning to reminisce over a woman he once deeply cherished by raising a small toast in her honor. Over the course of the song, the memories transform from sweet to sorrowful, revealing a tale of lost love that has faded into the shadows of the past, leaving the vocalist with no comfort other than his drink.

Symbolism of Un copetín

Symbolism in “Un copetín” pivots around the act of drinking as a metaphor for coping with nostalgia and sadness. The recurring mention of “Un copetín” emphasizes an attempt to drown unresolved feelings about a past love. “La Vasca,” potentially referring to a woman of Basque origin, symbolizes a cherished personal connection, lost over time but never forgotten. The lament for times that are no longer “those of before” serves to underline a deep-seated yearning for the past, a common theme in tango that evokes not just personal loss but a societal nostalgia for better days gone by.

Un copetín in historic Context

Released in 1939 in Argentina, “Un copetín” was created in an era filled with political and social upheaval. The year 1939 was notably tumultuous, as the world was on the brink of the Second World War, and Argentina itself was dealing with internal political strife. This context of uncertainty and change is subtly mirrored in the feeling of loss and the longing for the “good old days” depicted in the song. The tango, a genre rooted in expressions of the human condition, often reflects such emotional and societal conflicts.

José Fernández

José Fernández was an Argentinian lyricist known for his poignant contributions to the tango genre. Fernández had an adept ability to touch on themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.