Tabernero

Carlos Gardel's 'Tabernero' is a poignant portrayal of a man seeking solace in alcohol, narrated from the perspective of a patron speaking to a bartender. The song's lyrics convey a deep sense of despair and a desire to escape reality through the numbing effects of drink. The repeated requests to the bartender to keep filling his cup with 'maldito veneno' (cursed poison) suggest a self-destructive behavior and an awareness of the toxic nature of his coping mechanism.

The song also touches on themes of loneliness and loss, as the narrator mentions the absence of love in his life and the death of past lovers. This lack of emotional connection drives him to find pleasure in wine, which is personified as the only companion willing to provide comfort. The mention of singing an obscene tango and causing trouble among other drunkards paints a picture of a man who has given up on societal norms and is indulging in the chaos of inebriation.

Gardel's 'Tabernero' also reflects on the universal struggle of those who turn to alcohol, suggesting that only God knows the pain hidden within each person who drinks to excess. The song ends with a resigned laughter, indicating the narrator's acceptance of his fate and his continued reliance on alcohol to keep his soul content. The tragic undertone of the song is a reminder of the human condition and the various ways people cope with their inner turmoil.