“Quiero verte una vez más,” the 1939 hit tango with lyrics by José María Contursi and music by Mario Canaro, the youngest of the Canaro brothers. This dance-floor favorite foregrounds the intense longing of lost love, and features a double-length chorus—something very common in jazz standards but not often encountered in tango.
I’ve Got to See You One More Time
(Tr. Jake Spatz)
YouTube: Jorge Falcón
Twilights always summon me to speak
With recollections…
I long for you with tears upon my cheek
In this dejection!
In bitterness I sought you far and wide
And never met you…
How much longer must I live, to die,
And so forget you!
I’ve got to see you one more time,
My lovely baby,
And see the pupils in your eyes
Still drive me crazy!
I’ve got to see you one more time,
Although you tell me
That it’s all quite over now,
And it’s useless poking round
In the ashes of a love…
I’ve got to see you one more time—
I live so sadly!
And I can’t remember why
You left so madly…
I’ve got to see you one more time,
And in my anguish
Feel the tiniest allay,
And forgotten in my hole
All the calmer pass away!
Night by night my memories of you
Close round me curling…
Moans that seek the yesterday we knew
The wind sets whirling…
Blood my heart was rushing at your name,
At having met you…
A fever sets my reason all aflame,
And can’t forget you!
Quiero verte una vez más (1939)
Music: Mario Canaro
Lyrics: José María Contursi
Tarde que me invita a conversar
con los recuerdos…
pena de esperarte y de llorar
en este encierro!
Tanto en mi amargura te busque
sin encontrarte
cuando… cuando, vida, moriré
para olvidarte!
Quiero verte una vez mas,
amada mia,
y extasiarme en el mirar
de tus pupilas!
Quiero verte una vez mas,
aunque me digas
que ya todo terminó
y es inutil remover
las cenizas de un amor…
Quiero verte una vez mas—
estoy tan triste!
y no puedo recordar
por que te fuiste…
Quiero verte una vez mas,
y en mi agonia
un alivio sentiré
y olvidado en mi rincon
mas tranquilo moriré!
Noche que consigues envolver
mis pensamientos…
Quejas que buscando nuestro ayer
las lleva el viento!
Sangre que ha vertido el corazón
al evocarte…
fiebre que me abrasa la razon
sin olvidarte!