Song commentary
&
lyric translation
The story of Esta noche de luna
Esta Noche de Luna (A moonlit night), composed by José García and Graciano Gómez with lyrics of Héctor Marcó is an exceedingly sensual love song, which portrays the vulnerable yet intense longing for another person in a very poetic and dramatic manner.
The song uses various images of nature, hence conveying strong emotions such as longing and despair in a way that makes us feel close to the poet’s personal drama: the sky has been used to express how minuscule the poet feels to the world and to love, and the sea to communicate his feeling of being swept off his feet with no control. These are beautiful and universal images to express the sorrow caused by love.
Witchcraft and spells are referred to throughout the song, expressing the idea that love is out of this world, that it can be magical when it goes right or witchcraft when it doesn’t.
Esta noche de luna has been translated by Tanguito, Argentine Tango Academy in London. If you feel 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
The lyrics of Esta noche de luna
in Spanish & English
Esta noche de lunaAcercate a mí |
A moonlit nightCome close to me |
| La noche es azul, convida a soñar, ya el cielo ha encendido su faro mejor. |
The blue night is an invitation to dream, the sky has already lit up its brightest beacon. |
| Si un beso te doy, pecado no ha de ser; culpable es la noche que incita a querer. Me tienta el amor, acércate ya, que el credo de un sueño nos revivirá. |
If I give you a kiss, it won’t be a sin; the culprit is the night that inspires love. Love is so tempting. Come close now, believing in a dream will bring us back to life. |
| Corre, corre barcarola, por mi río de ilusión. Que en el canto de las olas surgirá mi confesión. |
Run, run, barcarolle* on the river of my illusion. In the melody of the waves, my confession will emerge. |
| Soy una estrella en el mar que hoy detiene su andar para hundirse en tus ojos. Y en el embrujo de tus labios muy rojos, por llegar a tu alma mi destino daré. |
I am a star at sea, which today stopped in its tracks to sink in your eyes. And under the spell of your scarlet lips, for touching your soul, my destiny I will give. |
| Soy una estrella en el mar que hoy se pierde al azar sin amor ni fortuna. Y en los abismos de esta noche de luna, sólo quiero vivir, de rodilla a tus pies, para amarte y morir. |
I am a star at sea which today loses itself at random, with no love and no fortune. In the depths of this moonlit night, I only want to live, kneeling at your feet, to love you and to die. |
| Acércate a mí y oirás mi corazón contento latir como un brujo reloj. Mi voz te dirá Palabras de miel que harán de tu pecho fuego encender. El canto del mar repite en su rumor qué noche de luna, qué noche de amor. Dichoso de aquel que pueda decir, yo tengo un cariño qué dulce es vivir. |
Come close to me, and you’ll hear my heart beating happily like a witch’s clock. My voice will tell you words of honey, that will inflame, your heart. The melody of the sea repeats in its rumour, what a moonlit night, what a night of love. Fortunate is the one who can say, I have love. How sweet it is to live. |
| Corre, corre barcarola, que la luna se escondió. |
Run, run, barcarolle*, The moon hid away. |
*a song traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers.
