Una y mil noches by Carlos Bahr

Una y mil noches is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Alberto San Miguel.

Story behind the Tango Una y mil noches

In “Una y mil noches,” we encounter the narrator’s profound struggle with love and loss, a thematic cornerstone in many tangos. The lyrics articulate a profound emotional torment faced due to farewell, and the perpetual haunt of memories. Rather than finding closure, the narrator remains suspended in a limbo of suffering and futile hope, reflecting a poignant blend of love and despair.

Symbolism of Una y mil noches

The title “Una y mil noches,” translating to “One and a Thousand Nights,” cleverly uses numbers to symbolize the enormity and relentless nature of the narrator’s torment. Each night represents endless repetition of grief and longing, mirroring the endless tales in the “One Thousand and One Nights.” Phrases like “eterna en mi dolor” (eternal in my pain) and “esclavo del dolor de esperar” (slave to the pain of waiting) use personification and imagery to intensify the emotional experience, illustrating how the person’s memory and absence continue to dominate the narrator’s life.

Una y mil noches in historic Context

Recorded in 1948, post-World War II Argentina was transitioning politically and economically. During this era, Tango was both a reflection and an escape for the people. “Una y mil noches” might resonate with the era’s collective sentiment, embodying personal loss and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. This tango, steeped in the melancholy and resilience characteristic of its time, offered listeners solace and shared understanding of profound emotional experiences.

Carlos Bahr

Carlos Bahr was a prominent Tango lyricist known for his expressive and poignant lyrics that encapsulate deep emotional and existential themes within the Tango genre.