“Caminito” is one of the tango’s all-time classics, and dates from the earlier period of the genre’s songbook.
LITTLE WALKWAY
(Tr. Jake Spatz)
YouTube: Carlos Gardel
Little walkway that time is erasing,
That once watched the two of us go—
I’ve come back to you one last time,
I’ve come back to recount you my woes.
Little walkway that once was embroidered
With clover and flowering reeds,
You soon shall be naught but a shadow,
A shadow, the same as me.
Since she went away,
All I’ve done is cry;
Little walkway, my friend,
Now it’s my time to go.
Since she went away,
She never came back, no...
Now I follow her footsteps—
Fare you well, little road.
Little walkway that each afternoon
I ran lightsomely, singing of love,
Never say, if she passes again,
That your surface was wet with my tears.
Little walkway all covered in thistles,
Time’s hand is erasing your road;
I too wish I could fall by your side,
So we both could be slain by the years.
Since she went away,
All I’ve done is cry;
Little walkway, my friend,
Now it’s my time to go.
Since she went away,
She never came back, no...
Now I follow her footsteps—
Fare you well, little road.
CAMINITO (1926)
Lyric: Gabino Coria Peñaloza
Music: Juan de Dios Filiberto
Caminito que el tiempo ha borrado
que juntos un día nos viste pasar,
he venido por última vez,
he venido a contarte mi mal.
Caminito que entonces estabas
bordeado de trébol y juncos en flor,
una sombra ya pronto serás,
una sombra lo mismo que yo.
Desde que se fue,
triste vivo yo;
caminito amigo,
yo también me voy.
Desde que se fue
nunca más volvió.
Seguiré sus pasos,
caminito, adiós.
Caminito que todas las tardes
feliz recorría cantando mi amor,
no le digas si vuelve a pasar
que mi llanto tu suelo regó.
Caminito cubierto de cardos,
la mano del tiempo tu huella borró;
yo a tu lado quisiera caer
y que el tiempo nos mate a los dos.
Desde que se fue,
triste vivo yo;
caminito amigo,
yo también me voy.
Desde que se fue
nunca más volvió.
Seguiré sus pasos,
caminito, adiós.