La Cumparsita

Excuse me... I'm the Tango...!
I'm the tango that arrives through the streets of memory,
where I was born, I don't even remember
on any corner, a moon of the suburbs and a bandoneon are witnesses
I'm the Argentine tango, wherever and whenever I want!

Down El Porteñito street
between El Choclo and La Payanca
taking the lead
to the rhythm of an organ grinder
and the light of a little lantern
hidden among wisterias
in the atrium of a corner
one summer night
El Entrerriano sponsored me
with The Argentine Brunette...!

I'm the popular stand
that grows with a tie,
and I'm a luxury on all sides
on the billiard cloth
I'm the cry of 'No more bets...'
that moves us in the 'Rula'...
and I'm that 'Ancar of nine'
that even the 'dry ones' watch
and I'm Jara and Leguisamo
fighting for a green flag...!

I'm the milonga guitar
and Corrientes and Esmeralda
I'm the moon on the hunched back
of the tramp,
I'm the tablecloth of Christmas Eve,
and the dance of Carnival
I'm the silence of the yerba mate
under the Misiones sky,
I'm the whistle of the ox driver
and the asphalt of the diagonal...!

I have that sweet sadness
of all those who feel it
that's why... the Argentine Tango
is a song of tenderness
that is danced... lazily...
and listened to... remembering
while it arrives caressing
the doors of the heart
the moan of the bandoneon
of Pichuco, grumbling...!

I'm the mercurial column
of citizen emotion
I'm Quintana Avenue
and the slum wasteland
knockout at Luna Park
penalty kick hitting the crossbar
I'm La París and the tin
I'm bandoneon and organ grinder
I'm a Lotito drawing
sparrow in the square and canary...!

Gentlemen... my name is Tango!
I'm the tango that arrives through the streets of memory,
where I was born, I don't even remember
on any corner, a moon of the suburbs and a bandoneon are witnesses
I'm the Argentine tango, wherever and whenever I want!