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Viejo ciego

Viejo ciego is a Tango written by Cátulo Castillo and recorded by Ricardo Tanturi in 1946. The Tango Viejo ciego is written by Cátulo Castillo, Ricardo Tanturi has recorded Viejo ciego with the singer Roberto Videla.
“Viejo Ciego,” translating to “Old Blind Man” in English, evokes a hauntingly poignant melody. This piece resonates with the weight of wisdom and nostalgia, as if the notes themselves are searching for a fleeting glimpse of forgotten memories. The music dances with a bittersweet grace, embodying resilience and longing, whispering tales only the heart can truly see.

Tango

Style

Ricardo Tanturi

Orchestra

Roberto Videla

Singer

Homero Manzi

Author

Cátulo Castillo

Composer

1946/5/16

Date

Roberto Videla
Roberto Videla
Ricardo Tanturi
Ricardo Tanturi

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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.

1946/5/16 – Espera de esquina – Ricardo Tanturi
1946/5/17 – Remolino – Francini-Pontier
1946/5/17 – Trapitos – Francini-Pontier
1946/5/14 – Con mi perro – Anibal Troilo
1946/5/14 – Tres y dos (3 y 2) – Anibal Troilo

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Viejo ciego

This is the translation of the Tango “Viejo ciego” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Viejo ciego” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Viejo ciego

Con un lazarillo llegás por las noches
trayendo las quejas del viejo violín,
y en medio del humo
parece un fantoche
tu rara silueta
de flaco rocín.
Puntual parroquiano tan viejo y tan ciego,
al ir destrenzando tu eterna canción,
ponés en las almas
recuerdos añejos
y un poco de pena mezclás al alcohol.

El día en que se apaguen tus tangos quejumbrosos
tendrá crespones de humo la luz del callejón,
y habrá en los naipes sucios un sello misterioso
y habrá en las almas simples un poco de emoción.

El día en que no se oiga la voz de tu instrumento
cuando dejés los huesos debajo de un portal
los bardos jubilados, sin falso sentimiento
con una ‘canzonetta’ te harán el funeral.

Parecés un verso
del loco Carriego
parecés el alma
del mismo violín.
Puntual parroquiano tan viejo y tan ciego,
tan llena de pena, tan lleno de esplín.

Cuando oigo tus notas
me invade el recuerdo
de aquella muchacha
de tiempos atrás.

A ver, viejo ciego,
tocá un tango lerdo
muy lerdo y muy triste
que quiero llorar.

English lyrics of the Tango "Viejo ciego"

Arriving with a guide dog through the nights,
bringing the complaints of the old violin,
and amidst the smoke
your odd silhouette
looks like a puppet,
like a frail horse.
Faithful patron, so old and so blind,
as you unravel your eternal song,
you place in souls
old memories
and mix a bit of sorrow with the alcohol.

The day your mournful tangos cease,
the alley’s light will wear smoke-like mourning bands,
and on the dirty cards, a mysterious seal will appear,
and in the simple souls, a bit of emotion will stir.

The day your instrument’s voice is no longer heard,
when you leave your bones under a doorway,
the retired bards, without false sentiment,
will send you off with a ‘canzonetta’.

You resemble a verse
by the madman Carriego,
you resemble the soul
of the violin itself.
Faithful patron, so old and so blind,
so full of sorrow, so full of spleen.

When I hear your notes,
memory overcomes me
of that girl
from times gone by.

Come on, old blind man,
play a slow tango,
very slow and very sad,
because I want to cry.

Viejo ciego by Homero Manzi

Viejo ciego is a tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Cátulo Castillo.



Story behind the Tango Viejo ciego

The tango “Viejo ciego” (Blind Old Man) narrates the nightly appearances of an old, blind man led by a guide dog, bringing his old violin’s mournful tunes to life amidst quiet streets. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who, despite physical limitations, stirs memories and emotions through his music, blending them intimately with the listeners’ spirits and their alcoholic drinks. His presence and performance are likened to a time-worn ritual that infuses life even into lifeless alleys, reflecting the profound impact of his music on the local environment and its people.



Symbolism of Viejo ciego

In “Viejo ciego,” Homero Manzi skillfully employs symbolism to deepen the emotional resonance of the lyrics. The blind old musician embodies the relentless spirit of tango itself—elegiac yet deeply affecting. His violin speaks not just through music but as a vessel of collective nostalgia, handling themes of loss, time, and melancholy. The darkness of his blindness contrasts starkly with the vivid emotions he evokes, suggesting that true emotional insight does not always depend on physical sight. His figure, merged with smoke and shadows, becomes almost spectral, a haunting presence tethered to the past yet still impactful in the present.



Viejo ciego in historic Context

Recorded in 1946, “Viejo ciego” emerged when Argentina was undergoing significant political, social, and economic changes post-World War II. The tango, a genre deeply entwined with Argentine identity, served as a medium for reflecting public sentiment during such turbulent times. The portrayal of a blind, old musician navigating through the remnants of his environment mirrors the broader societal attempts to find continuity and solace amidst upheaval. The references to smoke, alcohol, and the simple emotions of the townspeople amplify the lyric’s setting in a recovering post-war Argentine society, highlighting both the resilience and vulnerability of its people.



Homero Manzi

Homero Manzi was a prominent Argentine lyricist, famous for his profound and vividly picturesque tango lyrics which often captured the essence of the urban landscape and the soul of Buenos Aires.