Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel Piano Solo - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1586586

This is one of Gardel’s most famous tangos, composed in 1935 with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera.

Meaning and Interpretation:
The phrase "Por una cabeza" is a Spanish horse-racing expression meaning "by a head," referring to a horse winning or losing by a small margin. In the song, the narrator compares his addiction to gambling (especially betting on horse races) to his uncontrollable passion for a woman. Just as he keeps returning to the racetrack despite repeated losses, he keeps falling for a woman who deceives him.

The lyrics express both the pain and allure of love, where despite suffering heartbreak, the protagonist cannot resist falling in love again. The song’s dramatic melody and emotional depth make it a classic of tango music, often associated with themes of passion, fate, and desire.

This tango has been widely popularized in films like Scent of a Woman (1992), Schindler’s List (1993), and True Lies(1994).

English Translation: "By a Head"
By a head, a noble colt
that just at the finish line falters,
and when returning, it seems to say:
"Don’t forget, brother, you know—don’t bet!"

By a head, the crush of a single day,
of that flirtatious and smiling woman,
who, while swearing love with a smile, is lying,
burning all my love in a blaze.

Chorus:
By a head,
all the madness,
her mouth that kisses
erases the sadness,
calms the bitterness.
By a head,
if she forgets me,
what does it matter if I lose
a thousand times my life?
What’s the point of living?

So many disappointments, all for a head,
I swore a thousand times I'd never try again,
but if a glance wounds me in passing,
her fiery lips I want to kiss once more.

No more horse races, gambling is over,
I won’t watch another tight finish!
But if some fine horse is a sure bet on Sunday,
I’ll gamble it all—what can I do?


Interpretation
The song cleverly blends themes of gambling and love, showing how the protagonist keeps getting caught in the same cycle of hope, excitement, and loss. The phrase "por una cabeza" (by a head) refers to both the way horses narrowly win or lose races and how the singer loses himself in love, unable to resist despite past disappointments.

Here's an orchestral version:
https://youtu.be/i8SfUTM7QrM.