Melodía de arrabal [English translation]

Neighborhood silver-plated by the moon

milonga1 rumors

is all your fortune.

There's a bandoneon2 weeping

in the absolute misery

while a girl

pretty as a flower

is waiting coquettish

under the unquiet light of a street lamp

Neighborhood, neighborhood

you have the unquiet soul

of a sentimental sparrow.

Sorrows, prayers

all over the nasty neighborhood

(it's the) melody of the slum

Old neighborhood

forgive me if I'm letting a tear drop

whenever I recall you

which, by rolling down on your cobblestone alleys

is a lingering kiss

my heart is giving you.

Cradle of braves and singers

of fights and riots

of all my loves;

on your walls with my blade

I carve names that I love:

Rosa, the milonga girl3...

there was blonde Margot...

on our first date

that wench Rita

gave me her love.

Neighborhood, neighborhood

that you have the unquiet soul

of a sentimental sparrow.

Sorrows, prayers

all over the nasty neighborhood

(it's the) melody of the slum

Old neighborhood

forgive me if I'm shedding a tear

whenever I recall you

which, by rolling down on your cobblestone alleys

is a lingering kiss

my heart is giving you.

1. Tango party or club2. Argentinian accordion3. Girls hanging out in milongas, paid to dance