Originally written in 1929 as a patriotic song about Cuba, The tune has been evolved through the years and used in struggles for peace and justice across Latin America and the US.
The first verse of the song was taken from a poem by Cuban freedom activist Jose Marti, an adaptation which ensured that it was used in future among freedom activists and others struggling for some kind of justice!
Yo soy un hombre sincero....De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero...Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Y antes de morirme quiero...Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Then there is a verse which speaks of choosing to cast one's lot with the poor people of the land, which makes it a more universal song about class equality and freedom for the poor - whether economic freedom or social freedom.
Con los pobres de la tierra...Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra...Me complace mas que el mar
El arroyo de la sierra...Me complace mas que el mar
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
The chorus, "Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera" simply refers to singing a song about Guantanamo a place in Cuba :)
Lyrics & Translation
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Yo soy un hombre sincero...De donde crece la palma / I am a truthful man ...From where the palm tree grows
Y antes de morirme quiero...Echar mis versos del alma / And before dying I want...To let out the verses of my soul
Y antes de morirme quiero...Echar mis versos del alma / And before dying I want...To let out the verses of my soul
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Mi verso es de un verde claro...Y de un carmin encendido / My verse is light green...And it is flaming red
Mi verso es un ciervo herido...Que busca en el monte amparo /My verse is a wounded stag..Who seeks refuge on the mountain
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Con los pobres de la tierra...Quiero yo mi suerte echar / With the poor people of the earth..I want to cast my lot
El arroyo de la sierra..Me complace mas que el mar /The brook of the mountains..Gives me more pleasure than the sea
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
El arroyo de la sierra..Me complace mas que el mar /The brook of the mountains..Gives me more pleasure than the sea
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Cultivo una rosa blanca..En julio como en enero / I grow a white rose..In July just as in January
Para el amigo sincero..Que me da su mano franca /For the honest friend..Who gives me his open hand
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
VIDEO
Brilliant version by El Bicho,J.Carmona,Marina y Huecco
Each of the singers has their own band. They all come from Spain and did a great job on this song!
Each of the singers has their own band. They all come from Spain and did a great job on this song!
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