Tango Lyrics in Spanish and English | |||
EL MOTIVO | |||
The reason (1920 | Listen to Floreal Ruiz with the orchestra of Jose Basso, El motivo |
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Music by: Juan Carlos Cobian | |||
Lyrics by: Pascual Contursi | |||
Translated by: Alberto Paz | |||
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Last update on: 3/4/06 | |||
Pascual
Contursi liked to write lyrics to existing instrumental songs. His most
notable success was "Mi noche triste" which he wrote over the music of
Samuel Castriota's "Lita." "El motivo" was the first tango by Cobian
recorded by Carlos Gardel under the name of "Pobre paica" (Poor woman)
initially given by Contursi. Cobian's reputation changed the name of
the tango to its original title. Jose Basso's arrangement and Floreal
Ruiz's voice stand as one of the most powerful and celebrated
recordings. | |||
Version en castellano | English translation | ||
Mina que fue en otros tiempos la más papa milonguera y en esas noches tangueras fue la reina del festin... Hoy no tiene pa' ponerse ni zapatos, ni vestidos, anda enferma, y el amigo no aporto para el bulin. Ya no tienen sus ojazos esos fuertes resplandores, y en su cara los colores se le ven palidecer. Y esta enferma, sufre y llora y manya con sentimiento, de que asi, enferma y sin vento, más naides la va a querer. Pobre paica que ha tenido a la gente rechiflada y supo con la mirada conquistar una pasión... Hoy no tiene quien se arrime por cariño a su catrera. ¡ Pobre paica arrabalera que quedo sin corazón! Y cuando de los bandoneones se oyen las notas de un tango, pobre florcita de fango siente en su alma vibrar las nostalgias de otros tiempos, de placeres y de amores. ¡Hoy solo son sinsabores! que la invitan a llorar! |
Woman who was in other times the most beautiful tango dancer, and in those nights of tango she was the queen of the feast... Today she does not have shoes or dresses to wear she is ill and the boy friend has not contributed for the rent... Her big eyes no longer have that strong gleam and in her face the colors seem to become pale And she is sick, suffers and cries and understands with feelings, that this way, ill and without money, nobody is going to want her... Poor woman who had driven people totally daft and knew with her glance to conquer a passion... Today she has nobody coming for affection to her bed. Poor women of the outskirts who was left without heart! And when from the bandoneons the notes of a tango are heard, poor mud's little flower feels in her soul the vibration of the nostalgia of other times, of the pleasures and loves... Today they are only sorrows! that invite her to cry.. | ||
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