Dreaming is a recurring theme in many tango waltzes of the 1940s (such as “Soñar y nada más”), and this song from 1942 is more the rule than the exception. Penned by Oscar Rubens (although credited on early scores solely to the tune’s composer Armando Pontier), this “Daydreamer’s Waltz” checks all the boxes: the melody swirls, the singer croons, and the rhythm swings like crazy. While not an influential piece in the tango’s overall songbook, this song is nonetheless a big pleaser on the dance floor, and belongs to a small handful of popular waltzes with Rubens lyrics (including “Jugando, jugando,” “Tu melodía,” and “Se fue”).
The Daydreamer’s Waltz
(Tr. Jake Spatz)
YouTube: Raúl Berón (orq. Miguel Caló)
Who upon hearing the opening strains of a waltz
Has not had the desire to dance?
When even the whole world’s rotation eternally falls
Into time with the beat of some waltz.
If you have dreamt about closing within your two arms
That blonde so enchanting to watch,
Closer and closer you’ll be before long,
By keeping the swing of the waltz.
To dream,
To whisper and woo,
To say in a murmur
Sweet phrases inviting
A love to ensue…
To dream,
While keeping the time,
With eyes ever lower,
With lips ever closer,
The dream of the waltz…
To feel that we’re the captives
Of a perfume of love,
That an angel with voice of heaven
Stole goodbyes from us.
To dream,
While keeping the time,
For everthing’s changed
When you give up your soul
To the swing of the waltz.
El vals soñador (1942)
Music: Armando Pontier
Lyrics: Oscar Rubens
Quién al oír los primeros compases del vals
no ha tenido intención de bailar.
Si hasta parece que el mundo en su eterno rodar
girará al compás de algún vals.
Si usted ha soñado en sus brazos poder estrechar
a esa rubia que encanta al mirar.
Juntos muy juntos los dos estarán
si siguen el ritmo del vals.
Soñar,
dejarse arrullar,
decir al oído
palabras tan dulces
que invitan a amar.
Soñar,
siguiendo el compás,
cerrando los ojos
muy cerca las bocas
el sueño del vals.
Sentir que nos aprisiona
un perfume de amor.
Que un ángel con voz de cielo
nos roba el adiós.
Soñar,
siguiendo el compás
que todo es distinto
si entrega su alma
al ritmo del vals.