El Bailongo En Lo Del Rengo

The song "El Bailongo En Lo Del Rengo" by Sele Vera y Pampas de Bariloche is a vivid narrative that paints a picture of a lively and chaotic dance party at a place owned by someone nicknamed 'Rengo'. The lyrics describe a scene where people of high social standing ('gente de abolengo') are dancing to the melody, and the narrator receives an invitation from a woman with a playful name, 'Resbalosa', which suggests she is slippery or elusive.

As the night progresses, the atmosphere becomes more intense. Rengo himself is dancing in a humorous fashion, wearing formal attire paired with casual footwear and a mustache. The party escalates when the police commissioner arrives, demanding to see a permit for the dance, which Rengo does not have. The situation turns violent when the sergeant, described as clumsy ('chambonazo'), accidentally cuts Rengo's neck with a machete. The aftermath is grim: Rengo is prepared for burial, and his wife, in a surprising twist, runs away the next day with a payador (a folk singer), named Macedo. The narrator ends up getting beaten ('una tunda') for wanting to dance, and the party ends badly ('terminó el bailongo aquel to' mal').

The song uses humor and exaggeration to depict a wild party that spirals out of control, leading to an unexpected and tragic end. It's a story of revelry, authority, and the consequences of unchecked merriment. The cultural context is deeply rooted in South American folklore, with references to traditional dances, social gatherings, and the payador, a figure akin to a troubadour. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the excesses of partying and the unpredictability of life.