All hail the High Priestess of Tango!

This song was a delight to translate. I am very pleased to be able to add it to my collection of positive images of women in tango! Since it was suggested to me by my new Facebook friend, Milonguera Misteriosa, I dedicate this version to her. Think of it as a kind of burnt offering....

Recordings of the song? Biagi's with Hugo Duval is the classic, from 30 July 1951. Our video of Bailarina de Tango with subtitles in Spanish and English is below the text. Make sure the "CC" button is toggled "on" so you can see the titles.

BAILARINA DE TANGO
(PRIESTESS OF TANGO)
Music by Oscar de la Fuente
lyrics by Horacio Sanguinetti

De satén y color negro, la pollera. De charol y tacos altos, los zapatos. Dibujando garabatos, del ritmo que se adueña tu estampa de porteña.* Tu conoces el secreto de los tangos y es por eso que los bailas como nadie. Y en los brazos que te abrazas, que mística que pasas, danzando en el salón. Sacerdotisa del tango, sacerdotisa sentida. Rito es la danza en tu vida y el tango que tu amas te quema en su llama. Sacerdotisa del tango, que en los salones de rango, bailas en brazos de un hombre que luce el renombre de gran bailarín.

Of sateen and color black, the skirt. Of patent leather and high heels, the shoes. Drawing doodles of the rhythm that siezes your porteña figure.* You know the secrets of the tangos and that’s why you dance them like no one else. And in the men that you embrace, what mysticism you inspire, dancing in the ballroom. Priestess of tango, priestess of the heart. In your life the dance is a rite and the tango that you love consumes you in its flame. Priestess of tango, who in the ballrooms of distinction dances in the arms of a man who flaunts his fame as a great dancer.

* your porteña figure (tu estampa porteña): The word estampa can mean an image, sketch, engraving, figure, metal stamp or a print. It also denotes a "mass card," that is, a printed card, usually illustrated with a holy image (estampa?), announcing that a mass is being said for a deceased person. Hence the word, though it clearly alludes to the dancer's physical appearance, also suggests a religious or clerical aspect that is more plainly stated by the verses that precede  (i.e., the black clothing) and follow (priestess, rite, mysticism, etc.).

* flaunts his fame as a great dancer (luce el renombre de gran bailarín): the verb lucir means "to show off," "flaunt," "shine," and renombre is "fame, renown, or celebrity."