“Por una cabeza” is a popular tango composed by Carlos Gardel with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera. It’s one of Carlos Gardel’s classic tangos. Its lyrics reference horse racing and the fanaticism surrounding these competitions and their bets, as well as drawing parallels with relationships with women and life. The expression “por una cabeza” is a phrase used in the Rio de la Plata horse racing jargon, where horses that win races by a very close margin are said to win “por una cabeza” (or by several), used as a reference measure.
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The origins of the song
Now, what’s the story behind the plot that went viral worldwide? It was revealed to be about horse racing, its fanaticism, and women, as it’s no news that Carlos was an expert when it comes to singing about horse-related topics. The expression “Por una cabeza” is a famous horse racing jargon from the Rio de la Plata region.
What it means in the song is that just as in horse races, it’s said that one won by a head or even more in some cases, regarding relationships with women, the singer referred to losing one’s head over a lady, with some ambiguity; few managed to connect the references.
Once the meaning of the song and its lyrics became known, many people listened to the tango again and distinguished when Gardel was talking about horse races and when he was talking about women. In fact, few paid attention, but in the song, it represents the dialogue between two friends: “What happened, friend? Tell me,” “She lied to me and left.”
The lyrics of “Por una cabeza”
Por una cabeza
de un noble potrillo
que justo en la raya
afloja al llegar,
y que al regresar
parece decir:
No olvidés, hermano,
vos sabés, no hay que jugar.
Por una cabeza,
metejón de un día
de aquella coqueta
y burlona mujer,
que al jurar sonriendo
el amor que está mintiendo,
quema en una hoguera
todo mi querer.
Por una cabeza,
todas las locuras.
Su boca que besa,
borra la tristeza,
calma la amargura.
Por una cabeza,
si ella me olvida
qué importa perderme
mil veces la vida,
para qué vivir.
Cuántos desengaños,
por una cabeza.
Yo juré mil veces,
no vuelvo a insistir.
Pero si un mirar
me hiere al pasar,
sus labios de fuego
otra vez quiero besar.
Basta de carreras,
se acabó la timba.
¡Un final reñido
ya no vuelvo a ver!
Pero si algún pingo
llega a ser fija el domingo,
yo me juego entero.
¡Qué le voy a hacer..!
Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Lepera
For a head,
of a noble colt,
that just on the line
slows down when it arrives,
and upon returning
seems to say:
Don’t forget, brother,
you know, one mustn’t play.
For a head,
a fling of a day
with that coquettish
and mocking woman,
who, while swearing with a smile
the love she’s lying about,
burns in a bonfire
all my love.
For a head,
all the madness.
Her kissing mouth,
erases sadness,
calms bitterness.
For a head,
if she forgets me,
what does it matter to lose
my life a thousand times,
why live.
How many disappointments,
for a head.
I swore a thousand times,
I won’t insist again.
But if a glance
hurts me as it passes,
her lips of fire,
I want to kiss again.
Enough of races,
the gambling’s over.
A tight finish,
I won’t see again!
But if some horse
turns out a sure bet on Sunday,
I’ll bet it all.
What can I do!
Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Lepera
