Song commentary

&

lyric translation

The story of Nocturno de tango

Nocturno de tango, Nocturne of tango was composed by José Garcia with lyrics from J.J. Nelson. Like all nocturnes, Nocturno de tango is a musical composition inspired by night. The song draws an implicit contrast between day time, dedicated to all things ‘normal’, and night time, when tango reigns and the milonguero within us takes life.

Night time is celebrated in this nocturne, as is the place tango plays in Buenos Aires night life: tango was and is still danced in Buenos Aires, from late evening (when the sun goes away, and the moon appears in all its glory, as the lyrics of the song go) until early morning (just in time for coffee and media luna, the local croissants).

Although very short, the lyrics capture beautifully the melancholy and romantic essence of tango and assert its origins in Buenos Aires poor neighbourhoods.

However modest at its beginnings, tango and its truthful stories of a people who travelled beyond time and borders (in the song, tango whistling is referred to as ‘the local spokesman of our song’). We, who today listen to Nocturno de tango in London are a testament of tango’s timelessness.

The song was performed by Orquesta de Jose Garcia y Los Zorros Grises with the incredible Alfredo Bermudez on vocals.

Nocturno de tango has been translated by Tanguito, Argentine Tango Academy in London. 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.

Old school milongueros say it’s easier to fully interpret a tango song when you know the lyrics. So, we have translated and commented over 35 of the most beautiful and famous tango songs. Browse our translations and enjoy the stronger connexion with the music.

And if you are tempted to join us, why not try our Argentine tango classes in London or browse our library of online classes?

The song

Nocturno de tango lyrics

in Spanish & English

Nocturno de tango

Cuando el sol se va
y la luna su fulgor asoma
dos sombras a su conjuro se dibujan.
Ella y él, nocturno de nuestro suburbio
Nocturne of tango

When the sun goes away,
and the moon appears in all its glory,
two shadows appear to be drawn under its spell.
she and he, the nocturne of our suburbs.
Silbidos de tangos
pregoneros porteños de nuestra canción.		 The whistling of tangos,
the local spokesmen of our song.
Nocturno de tango,
mezcla de risa y dolor,
chapaleando fango.
Y en esa esquina un amor.		 Nocturne of tango,
mix of laughter and pain
splashing in the dirt.
And in this corner; love.
Nocturno de tango.
Triste compadre, lloró.
Musiquita de los pobres.
Congojas de un bandoneón.		 Nocturne of tango.
The sad tears of a friend.
The little song of the poor.
The distress of a bandoneon.
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