Tango Adentro - Tango Lyrics

African slaves were first brought to Argentina in the 1770s to toil on large haciendas and serve as domestic servants. Slavery wasn't abolished until 1853. The 1778 census showed that 7,236 of 24,363 Buenos Aires residents, or 30 percent, were African. That figure dropped to 2 percent by 1887 -- the final year blacks were included as a separate category.

Not much recorded history exists on the black population of Argentina. What there is, is often inaccurate, written from the point of view of people of European decent. What is known is that many died fighting in various wars, having been promised freedom upon their return. In the Buenos Aires of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when waves of European immigrants arrived, the black population in the city and around the country became more of a minority, giving an even stronger foothold to racism and intolerance.

The current population of Argentines of African decent is small, with estimates ranging anywhere from the tens of thousands to about 1 million. Estimation is made more difficult with the inevitable interracial marriages. However, the misguided notion that there are no blacks in Argentina is alive and well today.

In Christianty, in Spain more specifically, 6th of January is know as "Dia de los Reyes Magos", or the day of the Magician Kings. In English, the kings are known as the "Three Wise Men". The 6th of January is also called the Twelfth Day of Christmas. This is the day when the Three Wise Men from the East visited the newly born baby Jesus, bringing with them various gifts. In Spanish tradition, instead of Christmas day, this is the day children receive their gifts.

Sies de enero
(Sixth of January)

Music: Arturo Gallucci
Lyrics: Reynaldo Yiso
Music
Performed by Orquestra of Alfredo de Angelis
Sung by Carlos Dante


Rey Mago Baltasar, que como yo eres negro,
que vive en el cielo, tan cerca del señor,
que traes los regalos, para los niños buenos,
yo no te pido nada, ni un sulky ni un tambor.
Tan solo yo te pido, que a todos esos niños,
que siempre me hacen burla, y ofenden mi color,
les digas cuando vuelvas, que dios esta enojado,
que el sabe que me llaman, tormenta y Tio Tom.
Si vieras cuantas noches, me desperte llorando,
al cielo preguntando, por que, por que señor?,
se burlan de ese modo, me miran con desprecio,
me ponen sobrenombres y ofenden mi color.

BIS

Acaso nuestra historia, no habla de falucho,
aquel heroico negro, leal a san martin,
que antes de entregarles, a otros su bandera,
penso primero en ella y prefirio morir.

Anoche quise ver, que sangre habia en mis venas,
con un trozo de vidrio, mi brazo desgarre.
La sangre que brotabas, si vieras, no era negra.
Me puse tan contento, sabes, hasta llore.
Por eso yo te pido, que a todos esos niños,
les digas que no deben llamarme Tio Tom,
que corre sangre roja, sobre mi piel morena,
y tengo como ellos, también un corazón.

Magician King Baltasar, like me you are black,
and live in heaven, so close to the Lord,
and bring gifts to the good children.
I don't ask for anything, not a "sulky" nor a drum,
I only ask that you tell these children,
who always make a mockery of me, who insult my colour,
that when you return, that God is angry,
that he knows what they call me, tormenting me with "Uncle Tom"
If you know how many nights I wake up crying,
asking heaven, "Why, why, lord?".
They mock me like this, they look at me with scorn,
call me names, and insult my colour.

Chorus

In case our history does not tell the story,
of that heroic black, loyal to St. Martin,
who before giving up his flag to the enemy,
choose to die rather than surrender.

Last night I wanted to see, what blood I have in my veins.
With a piece of glass, I cut my arm.
The blood that gushed, if you can see, was not black.
I was so happy, you know, that I cried.
But I ask you, to all these children,
to tell them not to call me Uncle Tom,
that blood runs red on my brown skin,
and like them, I too have a heart.

ee
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