4148  N.P.

Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:34:36 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: N.P.

N.P. "No Place"'

Many tango lyrics make reference to horse races.

In a horse race the "winner" is "ganador" , the second one is "Place".

Place : The horse on which a bettor has wagered and which must finish a race
first or second to pay off.

This tango is about a mare that the character of the song bought. She had
had a very bad prior performance but it seemed that it had been bad luck, he
found many excuses to explain her failures, he had faith in her and he ended
up buying her.

He spent a whole season taking care and preparing her for the big event.
The day arrived, she started fairly well but afterwards her performance was
so bad that people had to explain this with thoughts such as "the jockey is
inexperienced" or "perhaps the trainer is running to lose on purpose" having
bet on other horse...

Now she runs in "Cuadreras" races done by cow boys in the country side.
"you do not have to worry about your history, pedigree, trainer, etc, you
don't even have the blanket, I had bought for you"...but... "if you return
to the race track : I'' ll bet on you "la parada", and also because I am a
good loser".

Looking at your performance
at the "La Plata" (capital of the province of Bs.As.) hippodrome,
never to the [score] board you made it.
You were always "No Place".

She just sat at the start,
they pushed you (the other riders] at the turn.
That's what the fools yelled.
And that's the reason I bought you!

I spent a season
taking care of your legs.
I bought you a new blanket.
I even slept in the stall
Clocking your trial runs.
The start at full run...
I don't know who fooled me,
if it was you or the stopwatch.

I signed you up to a regular[race].
You started fairly well.
They said: "It's because of the rider
or the trainer is running to lose".
It's your blood that loses
Sonnafa... "Disobedience"...
You'll never outgrow being a loser,
because you lack heart.

Now you race in country races...
You don't have that blanket,
the racetrack doesn't worry you,
nor the trainer, nor the stud.
But if one of these days
I see you again in the race track...
I'll gamble to show off,
because I'm a good loser.