Guantanamera
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"Guantanamera" ("girl from Guantánamo") is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song. The lyrics are based on the first poem in the collection Simple Verses by Cuban nationalist poet José Martí, adapted by Julián Orbón. The music was composed by José Fernández Díaz (1928). There are many versions of this song but the definitive one was written with one verse by Martí from his poem "Yo soy un hombre sincero".
The song has been performed by numerous individuals and groups. Cubans such as Celia Cruz and Dámaso Pérez Prado brought the song to the North American mainland, although many in the United States first heard the song performed by 1960s folk singers such as Pete Seeger, the Weavers and Joan Baez. The song was a hit for The Sandpipers in 1967. The Latin jazz bandleader Tito Puente has also recorded a version. It has been performed by jazz musicians such as the Paul Winter Consort, as well as by easy listening artists 101 Strings Orchestra. Other versions include ones by Los Lobos, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, a dancehall rendition by Yellowman, an instrumental version by the Ventures, a 'Back to the roots' rendition by former Soft Machine drummer Robert Wyatt, and French versions by Joe Dassin and Nana Mouskouri. Hip hop musician Wyclef Jean made a remix of the song in 1997.
In Australia, a song in worship of Australian Rules Football player Tony Lockett was sung to its tune which has subsequently turned the song into an international football chant ('Insert the name of your favourite footballer here...').
Lyrics
| Spanish language | English language |
|
Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma Y antes de morirme quiero Echar mis versos del alma Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera |
I am a truthful man From where the palm tree grows And before dying I want To let out the verses of my soul |
|
Mi verso es de un verde claro Y de un carmín encendido Mi verso es un ciervo herido Que busca en el monte amparo Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera |
My verse is light green And it is flaming red My verse is a wounded stag Who seeks refuge on the mountain |
|
Cultivo una rosa blanca En julio como en enero Para el amigo sincero Que me da su mano franca Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera |
I grow a white rose In July just as in January For the honest friend Who gives me his open hand |
|
Con los pobres de la tierra Quiero yo mi suerte echar El arroyo de la sierra Me complace más que el mar Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera |
With the poor people of the earth I want to share my luck The stream of the mountains Gives me more pleasure than the sea |
Other usage
Guantanamera is also the name of a 1995 film from Cuba, directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío.
Links
http://www.josemarti.org/jose_marti/guantanamera/mariaargeliaguan/guantanameraparte1-1.htm (in Spanish)http://www.kingplatypus.net (King Platypus web page.)
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