Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ

Vieja recova

Vieja recova is a Tango written by Rodolfo Sciammarella and recorded by Roberto Firpo in 1930. Roberto Firpo has recorded Vieja recova as an instrumental Tango.
“Vieja Recova,” or “Old Arcade” in English, evokes the fading charm of bustling markets from days long past. This name conjures images of worn cobblestones underfoot, where merchants once bartered under the shelter of arched passageways. It speaks to the echoes of vibrant exchanges and whispers of history, gently woven into the fabric of time.

Tango

Style

Roberto Firpo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Enrique Cadícamo

Author

Rodolfo Sciammarella

Composer

1930/10/29

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Roberto Firpo
Roberto Firpo

Discover Other Orchestras

Domingo Federico – Al compás de tu mentira – 1965/1/1
Domingo Federico – Te soñé una noche – 1966/1/1
Domingo Federico – Canto – 1950/3/23
Domingo Federico – Quiereme como soy – 1945/5/15
Domingo Federico – Bajo tierra – 1947/5/30
Osmar Maderna – El baqueano (El baquiano) – 1947/11/20
Osmar Maderna – Ahí va el dulce – 1950/11/28
Osmar Maderna – Margo – 1946/1/1
Osmar Maderna – Lluvia de estrellas – 1948/6/24
Osmar Maderna – Rebeldía – 1947/1/9
Edgardo Donato – Pobre soñador – 1933/6/21
Edgardo Donato – Adios a Gardel – 1936/10/7
Edgardo Donato – De ande yerba – 1934/12/19
Edgardo Donato – Papas calientes – 1952/7/25
Edgardo Donato – Risas – 1934/3/12
Miguel Caló – Yo también soñé – 1972/1/1
Miguel Caló – Nostalgias – 1948/8/9
Miguel Caló – Tarde gris – 1946/12/12
Miguel Caló – Tu piel de jazmín – 1967/5/15
Miguel Caló – Hoja muerta – 1959/1/1

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.

Vieja recova recorded by other Orchestras

Vieja recova recorded by other Orchestras

1930/10/30 – Rouge (2) – Roberto Firpo
1930/11/3 – Justo el 31 – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1930/11/3 – Raja raja de aqui – Orquesta Tipica Victor
1930/11/4 – Que torcido andas Julian – Carlos di Sarli
1930/11/4 – La estancia – Carlos di Sarli
Vieja recova – 1942/9/24 – Juan D-Arienzo – Juan Carlos Lamas
Vieja recova – 1950/5/3 – Osvaldo Pugliese – Jorge Vidal
Vieja recova – 1930/10/29 – Roberto Firpo – Instrumental
Vieja recova – 1951/8/2 – Horacio Salgan – Angel Diaz

Letra del Tango Vieja recova

La otra noche mientras iba caminando como un curda,

tranco a tranco, solo y triste, recorriendo el veredón,

sentí el filo de una pena que en el lado de la ‘zurda’

se empeñaba traicionera por tajear mi corazón.

Entre harapos lamentables una pobre limosnera

sollozando su desgracia a mi lado se acercó,

y al tirarle unas monedas a la vieja pordiosera

vi que el rostro avergonzado con las manos se tapó.



Yo la he visto cuando mozo ir tejiendo fantasías

con sus sueños de alto vuelo y sus noches de champán.

¡Pobrecita! quien pensara los finales de sus días

y en la trágica limosna vergonzante que hoy le dan.

Me alejé, Vieja Recova, de su lado, ¡te imaginas,

de la amiga de otros tiempos, qué dolor llegué a sentir!

Lo que ayer fuera grandeza hoy mostraba sólo ruinas,

y unas lágrimas porfiadas no las pude desmentir.



Vieja Recova,

rinconada de su vidas

la encontré sola y perdida

como una muestra fatal.

La mala suerte

le jugó una carta brava,

se le dio vuelta la taba,

la vejez la derrotó.

¡Vieja Recova, si vieras cuánto dolor!

English lyrics of the Tango "Vieja recova"

The other night as I walked like a drunk,
step by step, alone and sad, walking the sidewalk,
I felt the sting of a sorrow on the ‘left’ side
insisting traitorously to slice through my heart.

Among lamentable rags a poor beggar
sobbing her misfortune drew near to me,
and as I threw some coins to the old beggar
I saw she covered her ashamed face with her hands.

I have seen her as a youth spinning fantasies
with her high-flying dreams and champagne nights.
Poor thing! Who would have thought of the ends of her days
and the tragic, embarrassing alms they give her today?
I walked away, Old Arcade, from her side, can you imagine,
the friend from other times, how much pain I felt!
What was once grandeur now only showed ruins,
and stubborn tears I couldn’t deny.

Old Arcade,
corner of her lives
I found her alone and lost
like a dire token.
Bad luck
played a tough card on her,
flipped her fate,
defeated by old age.
Old Arcade, if only you saw how much pain!

Vieja recova by Enrique Cadícamo

Vieja recova is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Rodolfo Sciammarella.

Story behind the Tango Vieja recova

The tango “Vieja recova” unfolds a poignant narrative of reminiscence and despair, capturing a moment of painful encounter between the speaker and a once-acquainted woman fallen into misfortune. As he wanders the streets in a state of intoxication, he is overwhelmed by a sharp sorrow when a beggar woman approaches him for alms. On recognizing her as a former friend from more glamorous times, the speaker reflects on the cruel contrasts between her past and present, the ruinous impact of time and misfortune, and his own inability to ignore these bitter truths. The lyrics meditate on the fragility of human destiny and the harshness of aging and societal neglect.


Symbolism of Vieja recova

The phrase “Vieja recova,” translating to “Old Exchange” or “Old Arcade,” symbolizes a place of past transactions and interactions, now only a shadow of its former self, much like the woman’s current state. The repeated references to the neighborhood, the merciless turning of fate (“se le dio vuelta la taba”), and the mention of a game lost to time signify the dramatic shifts in life’s fortunes. These elements underscore the themes of decay, loss, and the inescapable passage of time. References to “champán” (champagne) and high aspirations contrast sharply with the image of her hiding her face, bringing a stark human element to the forefront of this lament.


Vieja recova in historic Context

Written and recorded in Argentina in 1930, “Vieja recova” is set against the backdrop of a country grappling with the effects of the Great Depression. This economic and social upheaval intensified the disparities between wealth and poverty, themes that are palpably reflected in the tango. The historical context heightens the tragedy of the woman’s descent from a life of luxury to one of begging on the streets, mirroring the economic downturn that many Argentinians faced during that era. It serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of social standing and wealth.


Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist, known for his deep and emotive compositions that often reflected the social realities of his time.