El Tigre Millán (Millan The Tiger)
Lyrics & Music: Francisco Canaro
Translation: Felipe & Ayano
Recorded by Juan D'Arienzo with Alberto Echagüe in 1952*
Español
Picao de viruela, bastante morocho,
encrespao el pelo lo mismo que mota
un hondo barbijo a su cara rota,
le daba un aspecto de taita matón.
De carácter hosco, bien fornido y fuerte
afrontó el peligro cual bravo titán,
jamás tuvo miedo ni aún ante la muerte
porque era muy hombre "El Tigre Millán"
Pobre Tigre que una noche en Puente Alsina
dos cobardes lo mataron a traición.
Era guapo, de esos guapos más temidos
que la punta desgarrante de un facón.
Mala suerte, pobre Tigre, siempre tuvo
en cuestiones de escolazos y de amor.
Pues no era bien parecido
y fatalmente metido con la mujer que adoró,
nunca fue correspondido y ella al fin lo traicionó.
(Instrumental)
Cuentan que una noche, bramó como fiera
en un entrevero, que hasta hoy se comenta.
Repartiendo hachazos, ¡era una tormenta!
Mostró su coraje venciendo a un malón.
¡Parece mentira, que hombres de su laya
mueran siempre en manos de un ruin cobardón
¡Hoy la muchachada, Tigre, te recuerda
y aquella culpable llora su traición.
English
Scarred from smallpox, very dark skin,
curly hair like the locks of Blacks
a deep scar on his broken face
gave him the look of a thug.
A sullen character, well built and strong,
he faced danger like a brave titan,
never felt fear not even in front of death
because he was a real man, “Millan The Tiger”.
Poor Tiger who one night at Alsina Bridge
was killed by two cowards in an ambush.
He was a tough guy, one of those who was more feared
than the tearing tip of a dagger.
He always had bad luck, poor Tiger,
when it comes to betting and love.
He wasn’t good looking
and fatally in love with the woman he adored
was never reciprocated and in the end she betrayed him.
(Instrumental)
Legend says that one night, he roared like a beast
in a brawl that is still talked about today.
Delivering blows, he was like a storm!
He showed his courage defeating a group attack.
How can it be, that men of your sort always
get killed in the hands of a mean coward?
Today the gang remembers you, Tiger
and that guilty woman cries for her betrayal.
Note: Francisco Canaro recorded this song with Ernesto Famá in 1934.
Juan D'Arienzo recorded it with Alberto Reynal in 1940 and with Mario Bustos in 1958 as well.