The Three Wise Men and tango

Sleep my child Pedro
who is about to arrive,
wrapped in cloud and sky,
Father Balthasar.
...
Sleep my baby Peter
who is about to arrive,
at the stride of his camel
Father Balthasar.
...
An angel was born in the East,
his hair the color of tea,
accompanied by two doves
and a little donkey from Bethlehem.
Three kings seek his cradle
behind a blue star.
The mother, Mother Mary,
and the child, Baby Jesus.
Of my child, child Peter,
do not forget.
That my child is the blackest
and the poorest, Balthazar.


My Pedro wrote a letter,
Papa Balthazar.
And an angel with white wings
was able to carry it.
My child is already dreaming
with the rattle,
with the drum.
And the long-stringed spinning top
and the freight train
and the wagon.
...

This is how the well-remembered Homero Manzi portrayed in his milonga Papá Baltasar the tradition by which hundreds of thousands of boys and girls around the world put their shoes at the foot of the window to recreate the visit of the Three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus of Nazareth.
This religious celebration, which has been represented by countless artistic expressions, was also a source of inspiration for the tango world.
"Papá Baltasar" is an affectionate milonga candombe that, with music by Sebastián Piana and recorded in 1942 by Aníbal Troilo's orchestra, narrates the request of a poor boy to the Wise Man, to whom he will bring a drum, a long-stringed spinning top, a freight train and a wagon, among other toys common at that time.

Another song that refers to the celebration is the tango "Noche de Reyes", from 1926, with music by Pedro Maffia and lyrics by Jorge Curi. But far from being a joyful portrayal of the tradition, it is a tragic narration in which a man murders his wife after finding her with her lover. It was recorded in 1927 by Carlos Gardel with guitar accompaniment.

In line with the drama, there is also the tango Un regalo de reyes, by Pascual Mamone and Reinaldo Yiso, in which the protagonist tells how because of "a soulless love" he abandoned his home and now, repentant, he cannot visit his children even on the eve of the celebration.

I did not come here to ask you to forgive my infamy, my selfishness,
this enormous abandonment nor God forgives it.
Thinking of the purretes I do not sleep and it is punishment
that bites my conscience like a curse.
Tomorrow, January 6th, on the day of the Three Kings
there in their little shoes leave them, please,
this blonde doll I brought for Marta
and for Ricardito the book "Corazón".

Source: buenosaires.gob.ar