Entre Curdas

Cacho Castaña's song 'Entre Curdas' paints a vivid and chaotic picture of a wake held for a man named Carmona in a humble tavern. The song opens with the announcement of Carmona's death, setting a somber tone. However, the atmosphere quickly shifts as the narrative unfolds, revealing a series of absurd and darkly humorous events. The mourners, described as 'curdas' or drunks, gather around Carmona's coffin, shedding tears and drinking wine. The presence of a fly on Carmona's nose leads to a comical incident where a man named Rocatagliatta slaps the corpse, causing both Carmona and his coffin to jolt.

The song continues to describe the bizarre actions of the mourners. Granini, overwhelmed with grief, seats the deceased on a bench, while another mourner, Mamerto, attempts to stab the corpse, believing it to be staring at him menacingly. The scene becomes even more surreal with the arrival of a bald barber who shaves the dead man's beard, and a group of women led by Firulete, who bring a bandoneon and start a lively milonga. The juxtaposition of mourning and celebration highlights the absurdity and unpredictability of life and death.

As the night progresses, the chaos escalates. Rene, a milonguera, mistakes the dead Carmona for a drunk and tries to offer him coffee. Meanwhile, others engage in a game of truco, and the scene is further disrupted by the arrival of the police. The mourners scatter, taking the wine with them, and in a final twist, the dead Carmona is taken away by a novice policeman to give a statement. Through its dark humor and vivid storytelling, 'Entre Curdas' captures the essence of a community's unconventional way of dealing with death, blending sorrow with absurdity and camaraderie.