Embrujamiento

“Embrujamiento” (spellbound) is about the spell of passionate love. When he fell in love, the poet in fact fell under a strong unbreakable spell. No matter how much he tries, he finds himself trapped in time, trapped in his own recurring thoughts and feelings.

Throughout the whole song, the poet tries to free himself from this spell of love, even begging for mercy. There is no mercy for him however – the spell is cast, the loop is closed: the song opens on this verse: “What merciless spell is this love?” and closes on: “On my knees, I beg you for mercy.”

In the translation, we used repetitive sounds, meant to resemble little cries from the poet’s heart to convey how strong the spell is. Days repeat themselves, minutes pass and the spell remains the same, the pain remains the same.

Aún sabiendo que no es mío tu corazón.
¿Por qué te quiero odiar si sólo sé vivir
queriéndote cada vez más?

Although I know your heart is not my own
Why would I hate you, when all I know
Is how to love you more each passing day?

His love is a vicious circle which is clearly expressed in the song:

Quiero olvidarte y te llamo,
quiero odiarte y te adoro.

I want to forget you, yet I call out for you
I want to hate you, yet I worship you

Although there is little hope of mercy, the poet still hopes faith and prayers might help:

Tu amor es una condena
que bendice tu nombre.

Your love is my penance,
Your name is my prayer.

In the catholic faith, one does penance through prayer and this is what the poet resorts to, using his lover’s name as a holy prayer, an incantation of some sort. His love is a curse and her name, a blessing.

Embrujamiento was written by Ricardo Malerba, Dante Smurra with lyrics from Manuel Ferradás Campos. It was recorded by many orchestras but Malbera’s version is one that definitely stands out.

Embrujamiento has been translated by Tanguito, Argentine Tango Academy in London, with the help of a fantastic milonguera friend. If you have any comment or have other interpretations of the lyrics, please feel free to share your opinion, we’d love to hear what you think. :)