Tango de otros tiempos

Eras un gran varón,
altivo y compadrón,
de una palabra sola...
Rimaba tu cantar
con la emoción triunfal
del bandoneón de Arolas...
Pero empezó tu decadencia
cuando te dieron tanta ciencia...
y refinao en tus modales
dejaste los barriales
que te vieron nacer.

Me da pena, tango,
viendo que has cambiao
tu rincón de fango
por el alfombrao.
Llevo en mi alma un cacho
de tu ayer feliz...
cuando el fueye macho
del glorioso Pacho,
te lloraba así...

Noches de Maldonao,
donde fuiste'l mimao
de la dulce Paquita...
abrojo de arrabal
prendido en el percal
del barrio 'e las Cañitas...
Pero esos tiempos ya pasaron,
allá en París te afrancesaron...
y hoy, arrugándote cabrero,
un lagrimón fulero,
enturbia tu canción...

English translation

You were a great man,
haughty and compadron,
of a single word...
I sang your song
with the triumphant emotion
of Arolas' bandoneon...
But your decadence began
when they gave you so much science...
and refined in your manners
you left the neighborhoods
where you were born.

I feel sorry for you, tango,
seeing that you have changed
your corner of mud
for the carpet.
I carry in my soul a piece
of your happy yesterday...
when the macho fueye
of the glorious Pacho
cried for you like this...

Nights of Maldonao,
where you were the pampered
of sweet Paquita...
the thistle of the suburbs
pinned on the percale
of the Cañitas neighborhood...
But those times are long gone,
back in Paris you were taken away...
and today, wrinkling you, goatherd,
a tearful tear
clouds your song...