Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Un lamento is a Tango written by Eugenio Cardenas and composed by Graciano De Leone.
“Un lamento,” which translates to “A Lament” in English, articulates the poignant narrative of a woman consumed by sorrow and betrayal. The protagonist, referred to as “la percanta” (a term in Lunfardo, the dialect of Buenos Aires, for a woman), represents a figure of deep emotional pain, who is unable to move past the deceit inflicted upon her in a romantic relationship. This betrayal has left her isolated, deeply lamenting over what her life has become, demonstrating the Tango’s capacity to render vivid emotional landscapes through its lyrics.
The repeated reference to “pobrecita” emphasizes her vulnerability and helplessness, while “cotorrito,” meaning a small living space, symbolizes her constrained and diminished world post-betrayal. The imagery of crying alone “in her sad loneliness” further deepens the emotional gravity of her situation. The term “milonguerita” colloquially stands for a female tango dancer, underscoring her connection to the dance culture but also her tragic isolation from it. Additionally, the evolution from lament to the “dark cabaret” indicates a descent from personal grief to possibly a life shadowed by disgrace or moral judgment, a common thematic element in Tango lyrics, reflecting societal attitudes of the time.
The tune was penned during the 1960s in Argentina, a time marked by social and economic shifts. Tango often mirrored the sentiments of the working class and the disillusionments of society. “Un lamento” not only captures the personal agony of a deceived lover but also resonates with the broader collective feeling of betrayal and loss felt by many during this turbulent era. Moreover, 1960s Buenos Aires was a cultural hub where tango was both an escape and a narrative medium, thereby intensifying the cultural gravity of the song’s themes.
Eugenio Cardenas was a prolific lyricist in the Tango genre, known for his ability to paint vivid emotional landscapes within his compositions.