Tango Lyrics in Spanish and English   LA MOROCHA The brunette (1905)  Music by: Ernesto Saborido Lyrics by: Angel Villoldo Translated by: Alberto Paz   Return to Table of Contents Last Updated: 12/20/00

La Morocha is credited with creating one of the first Tango explosions in Europe sometime around 1906 when Argentine graduates from the Naval Academy carried with them freshly printed music sheets of La Morocha. The nickname "morocha" is commonly used in Argentina to describe women of swarthy complexion with dark hair. The inspiring "morocha" allegedly was one Lola Candales, a professional dancer with a pleasant voice. Enrique Saborido composed the music and Angel Villoldo wrote the lyrics in a few hours on Christmas morning of 1905 at a bar where bohemian artists hung out after hours.
There is a nationalistic and somehow chauvinistic undertone in the description of a day in the life of the "ideal" female partner. She is up before sunrise busy boiling the water and filling up the mate gourd with "yerba" to offer the bitter concoction (cimarron) to the countrymen, supposedly on their way to work the land.
She is happy at home, singing, feeling in love and saving herself for her "owner." She sings to the Pampero (a westerly wind of the pampas), to her beloved country (she is also a patriot!) and to the faithful one who owns her heart.
 

Version en castellano

English version

Yo soy la Morocha la más agraciada, la más renombrada de esta población. Soy la que al paisano muy de madrugada brinda un cimarron. Yo, con dulce acento, junto a mi ranchito, canto un estilito con tierna pasion, mientras que mi dueño sale al trotecito en su redomon. Soy la morocha argentina, la que no siente pesares, y alegre pasa la vida con sus cantares. Soy la gentil compañera del noble gaucho porteño, la que conserva la vida para su dueño. Yo soy la morocha de mirar ardiente, la que en su alma siente el fuego de amor. Soy la que al criollito mas noble y valiente ama con ardor. En mi amado rancho, bajo la enramada en noche plateada, con dulce emoción le canto al pampero, a mi patria amada y a mi fiel amor. Soy la morocha argentina, la que no siente pesares y alegre pasa la vida con sus cantares. Soy la gentil compañera del noble gaucho porteño, la que conserva el cariño para su dueño.

I am the Morocha the most graceful, the most renowed of this village. I'm the one who to the countryman very early in the morning offers an unsweetened mate. I, with a sweet accent, near to my little hut, sing a estilito with tender passion, while my owner goes at a trot on his half-trained horse. I am the Argentine brunette, the one who does not feel regrets, and spend life happy with her singing. I am the gentle partner of the noble porteño gaucho, the one who saves her life for her owner. I am the brunette of burning gaze, the one who feels in her soul the fire of love. I am the one who, to the little Creole, the more honest and bravest, loves with warmth. In my beloved hut, under the arbour on silvery nights, with sweet emotion I sing to the wind, to my beloved country and to my faithful love. I am the Argentine brunette, the one who does not feel regrets, and spends life happy with her singing. I am the gentle partner of the noble porteño gaucho, the one who saves her affection for her owner.