Victory in Minor Key
From Libertango to Exodus — a Song About Freedom
There are some melodies that refuse to stay in the background.
Libertango is one of them.
Written by Astor Piazzolla, the title itself is meaningful. It combines libertad (freedom) and tango. Not just a dance — a declaration. The music moves forward with urgency, almost like someone breaking away from restraint.
Many powerful interpretations of the piece exist online, and one memorable use appears in director Sally Potter’s film The Tango Lesson, where the music expresses tension and release without needing explanation.
That same emotional release inspired my recent “Victory Song,” based on Exodus 15 — often called the Song of Moses.
After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they were no longer fleeing slaves. What stood behind them was gone. The army that had chased them was no more. For the first time, they stood as a free people.
And they sang.
“Let me sing to Jehovah, for he is exalted…”
This was not a reflective hymn. It was relief. It was release. It was the sound of people realizing they were finally safe.
Libertango — freedom in motion — fits that moment remarkably well.
The List Called “One”
Several years ago I created a list of fourteen songs and titled it simply “One.”
The songs were chosen intentionally. Not background music, but pieces that shared a similar emotional atmosphere — tension, searching, movement, and approaching resolution.
Here is the list:
My Short Version of Sally Potter’s Film
Libertango
Gems Forever — from the Mantovani Orchestra
Back to Black — Amy Winehouse
Concierto de Aranjuez — performed by HAUSER
Seven Nation Army — 2Cellos
Merchants of Tarshish
Born Again — Rihanna
Dancing Queen — interpreted by Debbii Dawson
Blues Boys Tune — B.B. King
Temple of the King — Rainbow
Hallelujah — 2Cellos
Déjà Vu — James Arthur
Carousel — Indila
They appear unrelated — tango, orchestral, blues, rock, and cinematic pop — yet they all share a turning-point feeling. They sound like the moment just before something changes… or just after it finally has.
A Song About Freedom
Exodus 15 records more than a historical event. It records a human reaction.
The Israelites had reached a place where there was no escape. The sea was in front of them. The army was behind them. There was no human solution.
Then the sea opened.
And when it closed again, they were no longer slaves.
They were free.
That is exactly what Libertango expresses — movement after restraint, motion after pressure, release after fear. Its driving rhythm feels like footsteps finally walking away from what once held you captive.
Freedom often begins with relief.
Sometimes relief becomes gratitude.
Sometimes gratitude becomes praise.
And sometimes praise becomes song.
The shoreline of the Red Sea and a modern piece of music may seem far apart in time, but they meet at the same moment — the instant a person realizes:
The danger is over.
The past is behind.
A way forward has opened.
You can hear the Victory Song here (aka the Song of Moses), and if you would like a comforting thought about prayer and relying on God during overwhelming moments, you may also find this encouraging:
https://abc-bible.com/comfort-found-by-relying-on-god-in-prayer/
