In Strangers' Arms

Jake Spatz, was the translator of this literature of connection. He captured the meanings, the music and the conversational tone of the original “letras.” He translated the Spanish language and the lunfardo expressions– the obscure language of many tangos.  

Here is a taste of Jake’s art of translation.
Malena. 1942. Music: Lucio Demare. Lyrics: Homero Nicolás Mancione (Homero Manzi)

Lyrics (total or partial) that are included in the book – Spanish and English

• Así se baila el tango. 1942. Music: Elias Rubinstein. Lyrics: Elisardo Martínez Vilas
• Ave de paso. 1936. Music: Carlos Pérez de la Riestra. Lyrics: Enrique Domingo Cadícamo
• Buenos Aires conoce. 1977. Music: Raúl Miguel Garello. Lyrics: Rubén Nestor Garello
• Cafetín de Buenos Aires. 1948. Music: Mariano Martínez (Mariano Mores). Lyrics: Enrique Santos Discépolo
• Caminito. 1924. Music: Juan de Dios Filiberto. Lyrics: Gabino Coria Peñaloza
• Chorra. 1928. Music and lyrics: Enrique Santos Discépolo
• Como dos extraños. 1940. Music: Pedro Laurenz. Lyrics: José María Contursi
• Decime Dios… dónde estás? 1965. Music: Bernardo Manuel Sucher. Lyrics: Laura Ana Merello (Tita Merello)
• El bazar de los juguetes. 1954. Music and lyrics: Alé Alejandro Wahington (Alberto Podestá), Roberto Rufino, Reinaldo Ghiso
• En esta tarde gris. 1941. Music: Mariano Martínez (Mores). Lyrics: José María Contursi
• Garúa. 1943. Music: Aníbal Carmelo Troilo. Lyrics: Enrique Domingo Cadícamo
• La morocha. 1905. Music: Enrique Saborido. Lyrics: Ángel Villoldo
• Malena. 1942. Music: Lucio Demare. Lyrics: Homero Nicolás Mancione (Homero Manzi)
• Mano a mano. 1920. Music: Carlos Gardel and José Razzano. Lyrics: Celedonio Esteban Flores
• Martirio. 1940. Music and lyrics: Enrique Santos Discépolo
• Milonguita. 1920. Music: Enrique Pedro Delfino. Lyrics: Samuel Linning
• Nada. 1944. Music: José Dames, Lyrics: Horacio Basterra (Horacio Sanguinetti)
• Nostalgias. 1935. Music: Juan Carlos Cobián. Lyrics: Enrique Domingo Cadícamo
• Oro muerto. 1926. Music: Julio Navarrine. Lyrics: Juan Raggi
• Percal. 1943. Music: Domingo S. Federico. Lyrics: Homero Aldo Expósito
• Sur. 1948. Music: Aníbal Carmelo Troilo. Lyrics: Homero Nicolás Manzione (Homero Manzi)
• Talán …talán. 1924. Music: Enrique Pedro Delfino. Lyrics: Bartolomé Angel Vacarezza
• Tinta roja. 1941. Music: Sebastián Piana. Lyrics: Cátulo Ovidio González Castillo
• Tita de Buenos Aires. 2003. Music and lyrics: Humberto Vicente Castaña (Cacho Castaña)
• Tristeza de la calle Corrientes. 1942. Music: Domingo S. Federico. Lyrics: Homero Aldo Expósito
• Volver. 1935. Music: Carlos Gardel. Lyrics: Alfredo Le Pera