The Witch
lyrics by Francisco Gorrindo

Drowning this scream
that rises from my chest,
and arrives on my lips burdened with malice,
I return to your side, my hands tied,
but to tell you that everything’s over,
that I don’t care anymore
about your laughter or your weeping,
that by a feat of courage
I conquered my heart,
and today more than ever,
taking a good look at you,
I see you truly, just as you are:

The witch
that yesterday was the queen
of my whole being,
today, once the spell is broken,
is nothing more than a woman.
The witch,
a pile of whims
that enslaved me
today is a landscape covered with horror.

Orquesta Juan D’Arienzo, singer Alberto Echagüe

(Spanish original after the jump)

Landscape
lyrics by Homero Manzi

I bought you one afternoon, distant landscape,
with your golden frame and your autumnal theme.
I hung you on the wall across from her portrait,
across from her portrait that’s no longer there.

Perhaps that’s why I was disturbed just now
by your muted tone, your shadow, your grey,
your sky roofed with clouds and mist,
your park weeping with the April* rains.

Who could it be, who could it be
that painted on your canvas
the autumn quiet of the pine trees?
And that forgotten light
and the lost edge
and the blue wounded way
and the loneliness?

Who could it be that once upon a time
found you just like you are
and managed to understand your colors?
What soul, what good soul
saw the pain, the pain
of the grey cloud
of the blue way
of the April sorrows?

*Remember that Argentina in in the Southern hemisphere, and thus in Buenos Aires April is the middle of autumn.
Orquesta Pedro Laurenz, singer Alberto Podestá

(Spanish original after the jump)

The Farewell
lyrics by Virgilio San Clemete

In vain my soul
with a muted voice
spilled out its pain in the night…
only a deep, profound silence
was weeping in my heart.

On an afternoon that was dying in shadows,
we bid each other a good-natured farewell;
you didn’t see my profound sadness
and as you left we were both smiling…
and then desolation, watching as you left,
broke my poor voice with its emotion,
and the happiest dream died with the farewell
and the sky (for me) grew dark.

Over the time that has transpired
you always live in me,
and these fields that saw us
smiling together
ask me if forgetting
has cured me of you.
And into the winds
go my laments
dying in echoes
searching for you…
while far away
other arms and other kisses
take you prisoner and tell me
that now you never have to return.

Orquesta Edgardo Donato, singer Horacio Lagos

Orquesta Francisco Canaro, singer Roberto Maida

Ángel Vargas and his orquesta (conducted by Armando Lacava)

The italicized verses do not appear in the Donato version. The second does not appear in the Canaro version, and the order of the three is different in the Vargas version.

(Spanish original after the jump)

Caresses
lyrics by Alfredo Bigeschi

The solitude
that wraps around my heart
is kindling in my soul
the fire of your distant love.
In the mists of your forgetting
travels my illusion,
screaming your name in vain.

But you’re not there
and in my cruel desolation
the memory of what once was
is just a ghost—
I perceive your shadow
and my love calls out your name
begging you for yesterday’s caresses.

You won’t come…
and still I wait for you, my love.
I want to forget you and I can’t forget
because you’re all my illusion.

You won’t come
and I’m still waiting for you, my dear,
with the faith of one who loves like I do.
And, pining for yesterday’s caresses,
my good heart yearns for you.

Orquesta Ángel D’Agostino, singer Ángel Vargas

(Spanish original after the jump)

Worthless
lyrics by Francisco Brancatti y Juan Velich

Take my poncho—don’t flinch!
I’ll even loan you my knife,
pick, and in the venue that you choose sir
I’ll have to show up and surely
I won’t have bad form.

And me, with the lash of my riding crop
I’ve got more than enough to cover myself…
I’ve never been a swindler, I swear to you!
and there’s no trouble
that could make me wimp out!

This is my mark and it has kept me in check—
Why should I fight a wretched man?
Go with her, the coward!
Tell her that it’s late,
but I’ve made my claim.

Orquesta Juan D’Arienzo, singer Alberto Echagüe

(Spanish original after the jump)