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Mar. 19, 2005 Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is my present location, was the birthplace of the tango, and one of the most famous tangos of all is “El Choclo”. “Choclo” means “ear of corn” in Argentinian Spanish. In Castilian Spanish, “ear of corn” is “mazorca”, and in Mexican Spanish, it is “elote”. The ravishing music and original Spanish lyrics of “El Choclo” were written in 1903 by Ángel Villoldo (1868-1919), an Argentine. An additional set of lyrics was written in 1947 by Enrique Discépolo, another Argentine. Discépolo’s lyrics are composed partly in “lunfardo” (the slang of Buenos Aires), with a lot of words that are far substandard. Not only that, but, in my opinion, they are unworthy of the beautiful melody. I can’t even imagine why someone would compose such absurd, convoluted lyrics! Nonetheless, since they are the lyrics familiar to everyone around here, I have included them too. The late Carlos Gardel, Argentina’s most famous tango singer, sang this song, with the original lyrics, while Julio Iglesias and others have sung it with the later lyrics. An English-language version called “Kiss of Fire”, with lyrics that have absolutely nothing to do with either set of Spanish lyrics, appeared in 1952. In this case, the English version of the lyrics is superior to the original Spanish version, which is a little unusual. “Kiss of Fire” was sung by Billy Eckstine and others. I have known the English version since around 1952. The melody can be heard at this URL: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/3637/Elchoclo.mid KISS OF FIRE (English lyrics) I touch your lips and all at once the sparks go flying, Those devil lips that know so well the art of lying, And though I see the danger, still the flames go higher. I know I must surrender to your kiss of fire. Just like a torch, you set the soul within me burning. I must go on. I’m on this road of no returning, And though it burns me and it turns me into ashes, My whole crashes without your kiss of fire. I can’t resist you. What good is there in trying? What good is there denying you’re all that I desire. Since first I kissed you, my heart was yours completely. If I’m a slave, then it’s a slave I want to be. Don’t pity me! Don’t pity me! Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow. Love me tonight, and let the devil take tomorrow. I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me, Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire. I can’t resist you. What good is there in trying? What good is there denying you’re all that I desire. Since first I kissed you, my heart was yours completely. If I’m a slave, then it’s a slave I want to be. Don’t pity me! Don’t pity me! Give me your lips, the lips you only let me borrow. Love me tonight, and let the devil take tomorrow. I know that I must have your kiss although it dooms me, Though it consumes me, your kiss of fire. EL CHOCLO (Lyrics by Ángel Villoldo) Vieja milonga que, en mis horas de tristeza, Traes a mi mente tu recuerdo cariñoso, Y encadenándome a tus notas dulcemente, Siento que el alma se me encoge poco a poco. Hay que los años han blanqueado ya mis sienes. Tango querido, viejo tango que me embarga Con la cadencia de su música sentida, Recuerdo aquella época tan linda que se fue. EL CHOCLO (Translation of Villoldo’s lyrics) Old milonga, in my hours of sadness, You bring to my mind your fond memory, And chaining myself sweetly to your notes, I feel my soul contracting within me little by little. It’s true the years have whitened my temples, Belovèd tango, old tango you have overcome me With the cadence of your touching music. I remember those beautiful times that have departed. A “milonga” is a kind of dance or tango. EL CHOCLO (Lyrics by Enrique Discépolo) Con este tango, que es burlón y compadrito, Se ató dos alas la ambición de mi suburbio. Con este tango, nació el tango, y como un grito, Salió del sórdido barrial, buscando el cielo, Conjuro extraño de un amor hecho cadencia Que abrió caminos sin más luz que la esperanza, Mezcla de rabia, de dolor. de fe, de ausencia, Llorando en la inocencia de un ritmo juguetón. Por tu milagro de notas agoreras, Nacieron sin pensarlo las paicas y las grelas, Luna en los charcos, canyengue en las caderas Y una ansia fiera en la manera de querer. Al evocarte, tango querido, Siento que tiemblan las baldosas de un bailongo, Y oigo el rezongo de mi pasado. Hoy que no tengo más a mi madre, Siento que llega en punta’e pie para besarme, Cuando tu canto nace al son de un bandoneón. Carancanfunfa se hizo al mar con tu bandera, Y en un Pernod, mezcló a París con Puente Alsina. Fuiste compadre del gavión y de la mina Y hasta comadre del bacán y la pebeta. Por vos, shúsheta, reo, cana y mishiadura Se hicieron voces al nacer con tu destino, Misa de faldas, querosén, tajo y cuchillo Que ardió en los conventillos y ardió en mi corazón. Al evocarte, tango querido, Siento que tiemblan las baldosas de un bailongo Y oigo el rezongo de mi pasado. EL CHOCLO (Translation of Discepolo’s Lyrics) With this tango, which is mockery and boasting, Were tied the wings of the ambition of my suburb. With this tango, the tango was born, and, like a shout, Rose from the squalid swamp, seeking Heaven, Strange spell of a love turned into a cadence That opened roads with no more light than hope, A mixture of fury, of sorrow, of faith and of absence, Weeping in the innocence of a playful rhythm. By the miracle of your prophetic notes, The girls and the women were born without thinking about it, Moon in the puddles, a sway in the hips, And a wild yearning in their way of love. When I evoke you, belovèd tango. I feel the tiles of a dance hall trembling, And I hear the grumblings of my past. Now that I no longer have my mother, I feel that she is arriving on tiptoe to kiss me, When your melody is born to the sound of an accordion. The caracanfunfa set sail with your flag, And in a Pernod, mixed Paris with Puente Alsina. You were the homeboy of the libertine and the woman, And even the madam of the sugar-daddy and the girl. For you, the dandy, the tramp, the police and poverty Became voices when they were born with your destiny, A mass of skirts and kerosene, slash and knife, That burned in the tenements and burns in my heart. When I evoke you, belovèd tango. I feel the tiles of a dance hall trembling, And I hear the grumblings of my past. The “caracanfunfa” is a way of dancing the tango. “Pernod” is an anise liqueur. “Puente Alsina” is a neighborhood of Buenos Aires. ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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