Later he went to Guayaquil where participating in the radio program "The Supreme Court of Art" began his career that led him to become a popular singer in the 50s.
In 1951, he traveled to Colombia with Plutarch Uquillas Pepe Jaramillo and integrating the "Trío Emperor." When the trio broke up, he settled permanently in Colombia where he developed into the most important stage of his career. His popularity transcended borders not only from Ecuador and Colombia, reaching Mexico where he recorded several albums and broke sales records with the bolero "Tears of Love." Then came other hits like Playita Mía, Tu Duda and mine, Our Pledge, fate, Five Centavitos, Licor Bendito and many more that would be interpreted by Julio Jaramillo.
In the seventies, in Colombia, would record several items next to Julio Jaramillo
Olimpo Cardenas remained active in singing popular until the July 28, 1991 death caught him in the town of Tulua, in Colombia, while serving in a public square.
Noches Tenebrosas
Olimpo Cárdenas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuando las horas en silencio me pasaban
Las once y media en un reloj tal vez serían
Los aleteos de un cenzontle que vagaba
A una mujer mi amor le había ofrecido
Juré quererla mientras fuera firme
Yo sin saber que en su pecho había escondido
Anda mujer con dios que te perdone
Ya no quisiste vivir de mis pobrezas
Tal vez otro hombre te prometiera riqueza
Yo no te ofrezco mas que un pobre corazón
Anda mujer con dios que te perdone
Ya le rompiste a mi pecho las cadenas
Y en mi mano una carta escrita llevo
Donde me dicen anda joven y no temas
Anda mujer con dios que te bendiga
Ya no quisiste tener un fiel amigo
Y en esta piedra con mi propia mano escribo
Estás perdonada levanto tu castigo
Era una noche tenebrosa y fría
Cuando las horas en silencio me pasaban
Las once y media en un reloj tal vez serian
Los aleteos de un cenzontle que vagaba.
The lyrics to Olimpo Cardenas's song Noches Tenebrosas (Dark Nights) tell a story of heartbreak, betrayal, and forgiveness. The song is set in a cold and dark night, with the singer passing the hours in silence. He had offered his love to a woman, swearing to love her as long as he remained faithful to her. However, he was unaware that she harbored a serpent's sting in her heart, ready to strike and wound him.
The female protagonist of the song leaves the singer, rejecting his love and his humble lifestyle. The singer bids her farewell, wishing her God's forgiveness and hoping that she finds someone who can promise her riches. He acknowledges that he can only offer her a poor heart, and that she has broken the chains that bound him to her. He carries an unwritten letter in his hand, which tells him to move on and not be afraid.
However, in a surprising twist, the singer forgives the woman despite her treacherous ways. He blesses her as she goes on her way, acknowledging that she no longer wishes to have a loyal friend. He even writes her a note pardoning her for what she has done and frees her from any guilt or punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
En una noche tenebrosa y fría
On a dark and cold night
Cuando las horas en silencio me pasaban
As the silent hours passed by
Las once y media en un reloj tal vez serían
It might have been around eleven thirty on a clock
Los aleteos de un cenzontle que vagaba
I heard the flapping wings of a mockingbird wandering about
A una mujer mi amor le había ofrecido
I offered my love to a woman
Juré quererla mientras fuera firme
I promised to love her as long as I was alive
Yo sin saber que en su pecho había escondido
Unknowingly, she had hidden a sting in her heart
El aguijón de una serpiente para herirme
Like the sting of a serpent, ready to hurt me
Anda mujer con dios que te perdone
Go with God's forgiveness, woman
Ya no quisiste vivir de mis pobrezas
You no longer wanted to live in my poverty
Tal vez otro hombre te prometiera riqueza
Maybe another man promised you wealth
Yo no te ofrezco mas que un pobre corazón
I have nothing more to offer you than a poor heart
Ya le rompiste a mi pecho las cadenas
You have broken the chains that bound my heart
Y en mi mano una carta escrita llevo
In my hand, I carry a written letter
Donde me dicen anda joven y no temas
That tells me to go, young one, and not be afraid
Anda mujer con dios que te bendiga
Go with God's blessing, woman
Ya no quisiste tener un fiel amigo
You no longer wanted a loyal friend
Y en esta piedra con mi propia mano escribo
And on this stone, with my own hand, I write
Estás perdonada levanto tu castigo
You are forgiven, I release your punishment
Era una noche tenebrosa y fría
It was a dark and cold night
Cuando las horas en silencio me pasaban
As the silent hours passed by
Las once y media en un reloj tal vez serían
It might have been around eleven thirty on a clock
Los aleteos de un cenzontle que vagaba
I heard the flapping wings of a mockingbird wandering about
Writer(s): Domingo Velarde
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adan Gastelum
Un muy buena cancion, gratos recuerdos gracias por proporcionarnos estas joyas de musica.
Oscar Libreros
La escuchaba a mis 16 años.
Y la escucho ahora a mis 66 años con el mismo sentimiento.
Qué bella melodía
Edilberto Velasquez
hay tantos exponentes de la filosofía musical,que nunca podrá decirse cuál es mejor
Serafin Gutierres
Que Gratos, Recuerdos, Me Trae Está, Canción, Mi Madre La Escuchaba, Y Se Ponía A Llorar ,Esto Fue En Año 1958_Llegamos De Muy Lejos.
Hector Arbelaez
Recuerdos de la música de moda en mi niñez,gratos recuerdos.
Carlos Albeiro Guapacha Betancur
Que temazo , que buena voz ..olimpo cardenas grande entre grandes..
Humberto Echeverri T.
hace mas de 50 años no la oia, pero fue un gusto , era una de mis canciones de niño
Gloria
Que linda musica!!
Diego Garzon
Una version buenisima de un tema que ha tenido muchos interpretes
Adan Gastelum
muy bonita cancion, exelente voz, gracias por subirla, estas c. valen la pena.