We seem to be stuck on the theme of drunkenness here at Tango Decoder. Last time it was "The Wine of Oblivion" (La copa del olvido) and now it's "Bartender" (Tabernero). Me, I only drink when I'm in BsAs, and even then it's just a glass of Fernet to soothe my burning guts after eating too many empanadas and tortas. But it's a big theme in tango lyrics, so we can't ignore it! Anyway, I like this song, especially Enrique Rodriguez's version with Armando Moreno. Moreno's slightly sarcastic delivery—that nasty little snicker that comes into his voice—seems just right for this number. Trolio and Fiorentino are really at a disadvantage here, in my humble opinion. (The two versions were recorded two days apart.) There are a bunch of other renditions, including one by Gardel. Salud!
Tabernero (Bartender)
Tango
1927
Music: Fausto Frontera / Miguel Cafre
Lyric: Raúl Costa Oliveri
Tabernero—bartender—you, who stupefy with fiery concoctions,
keep filling my glass with your cursed poison!
Until you see me crazy, rolling on the floor,
keep filling my glass, good friend, tabernero!
When you see me drunk,
humming an obscene tango
amidst blasphemies and laughter,
and starting fights with other drunks,
don’t throw me into the street,
my good friend, tabernero!
Keep in mind it was your cursed poison
That got me drunk in the first place.
I want to kill that broken spirit
that stupefies my brain.
Some get drunk on wine
others get drunk on kisses.
Since I no longer have any lovers
And those I had are long dead
I take pleasure in the wine
That is poured by the tabernero.
All of us who are drunks--
It’s not that we wanted to be one!
Only God knows the heart
that beats in each one's breast.
Can’t you see my glass is empty?
Let the wine flow, tabernero!
May my spirit find peace
in your cursed poison!
Keep filling my glass
Hahahahahahaha!
May I never find a cure.
Tabernero, que idiotizas con tus brebajes de fuego,
¡sigue llenando mi copa con tu maldito veneno!
Hasta verme como loco revolcándome en el suelo.
¡Sigue llenando mi copa, buen amigo tabernero!
Cuando me veas borracho,
canturreando un tango obsceno
entre blasfemias y risas
armar camorra a los ebrios.
¡No me arrojes a la calle,
buen amigo tabernero,
ten en cuenta que me embriago
con tu maldito veneno!...
Yo quiero matar el alma
que idiotiza mi cerebro,
muchos se embriagan con vino
y otros se embriagan con besos...
Como ya no tengo amores
y los que tuve murieron,
placer encuentro en el vino
que me brinda el tabernero.
Todos los que son borrachos
no es por el gusto de serlo,
sólo Dios conoce el alma
que palpita en cada ebrio.
¿No ves mi copa vacía?
¡Echa vino, tabernero!,
que tengo el alma contenta,
con tu maldito veneno...
Sigue llenando mi copa,
¡ja, ja, ja, ja, ja!,
que yo no tengo remedio.
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