Called by some fans a distillation of the tango’s theme of lost love, this text by Enrique Cadícamo captures the experience of longing and the burning of inward regret—reminding us that the tango is not just a melancholy outpouring of emotion, but a song tradition that centers on conscience. The text here represents the alternate lyrics as recorded by singer Roberto Chanel during his years with Osvaldo Pugliese’s orchestra; footnotes below both the original lyric and the translation show the more commonly printed readings.
HANGING ROUND YOUR CORNER
(Tr. Jake Spatz)
YouTube: Osvaldo Pugliese & Roberto Chanel (voc.)
[Roberto Chanel version; alternate lyrics in brackets]
On this night I have an urge to never mind her—-
And all the same a crazy craving to go find her. [*]
It doesn’t matter what they say,
So let them talk and talk away…
People are always talking, aren’t they!
All I think about is her at every hour…
What a devil is this passion that devours!
And she might never even learn,
Never guess the way I yearn
And just desire to return…
My life, what have you brought my way,
That I go sadly night and day?
Hanging always round your corner,
Looking always at your house there,
And this passion that so hurts me,
And this sorrow that won’t leave me…
How much longer must I suffer
In the torture of this love? [**]
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* On this night I have an urge to go and find her,
To erase the things that happened and forgive her.
** … of your love (i.e., of loving you)
RONDANDO TU ESQUINA (1945)
Music: Charlo
Lyrics: Enrique Cadícamo
[Version cantada por Roberto Chanel]
Esta noche tengo ganas de olvidarla,
Sin embargo que ansias loca de buscarla. [*]
Ya no me importa el que diran
ni de las cosas que hablarán...
¡Toda la gente siempre habla!
Yo no pienso más que en ella a toda hora...
Es terrible esta pasión devoradora.
Y ella siempre sin saber,
sin siquiera sospechar
mis deseos de volver...
¿Que me has dado, vida mia,
que ando triste noche y dia?
Rondando siempre tu esquina,
mirando siempre tu casa,
y esta pasión que lastima,
y este dolor que no pasa...
¿Hasta cuando iré sufriendo
el tormento de este amor? [**]
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* Esta noche tengo ganas de buscarla,
de borrar lo que ha pasado y perdonarla.
** … de tu amor