Yuyo verde by Homero Expósito

Yuyo verde is a Tango written by Homero Expósito and composed by Domingo Federico.

Story behind the Tango Yuyo verde

The lyrics of “Yuyo verde” depict a journey through a memory lane of love, entwined with a sense of loss and melancholy. It tells a story of a couple, romantically walking through a narrow alley (“callejón”) under the summer sky, hand in hand, enveloped in the aura of dreams that were not meant to be. The imagery of repeatedly mentioned elements like “un farol, un portón” (a streetlight, a gateway) suggests moments frozen in time, reminiscent of classic tango scenes, setting a vivid stage for the drama of past love to unfold.

Symbolism of Yuyo verde

The phrase “yuyo verde,” directly translating to “green weed” in English, deeply symbolizes forgiveness and perhaps unattainable redemption in the context of past relationships. Weeds, often unwanted, grow persistently, much like memories or feelings that refuse to fade. The repetition of “déjame que llore” (let me cry) underscores an intense personal grief, a longing to revert or relive the past, and a denial mixed with acceptance. “Yuyo verde del perdón” suggests a lingering hope—or perhaps a realization—that some remnants of past emotions, like weeds, persist, despite the attempt to clear them away.

Yuyo verde in historic context

Historically and geographically situated in 1960s Argentina, a period marked by profound social and political transitions. During this era, tango often mirrored the public’s sentiment, weaving narratives of personal struggles against a backdrop of broader societal unrest. “Yuyo verde” may echo this sense of turmoil and change, linking the personal experience of loss and the wish for forgiveness to the larger narrative of a society in flux.

Homero Expósito

Homero Expósito was a renowned Argentine lyricist and poet, celebrated for his significant contributions to the tango genre.