Guantanamera
Celia Cruz Lyrics
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Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
De mi Cuba soberana, recuerdo aquel murmurillo
Del rio, junto al bohío que era una estampa cubana
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
La libertad fue un trofeo, que nos conquistó el bambi
Con el verbo de Martí, y el machete de Maceo
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Yo soy un hombre sincero, dijo Martí, de donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero, cantar los versos del alma
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Cultivo una rosa blanca, en junio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera, Guajira Guantanamera
The lyrics of Celia Cruz's song Guantanamera contain various references to Cuba's culture, history, and people. The song's title refers to a woman from Guantanamo, a province located in the eastern part of the island. The first lines of the song evoke the singer's memories of her "sovereign Cuba" and the gentle murmur of the river next to the bohío, a typical Cuban rural dwelling. The chorus repeats the refrain "Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera," which can be translated as "Guantanamera, peasant woman from Guantanamo." The guajira is a genre of music and dance that originated in eastern Cuba and became popular throughout the country.
In the second stanza, the lyrics allude to Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain in the late 19th century. The "trophy" of freedom was won with the help of revolutionary figures such as Antonio Maceo and José Martí. Martí, a writer and politician who fought for Cuba's independence, is quoted in the third stanza: "I am a sincere man (...) from where the palm tree grows / And before dying, I want to sing the verses of my soul." The final stanza speaks of cultivating a white rose, a symbol of purity and friendship, regardless of the season, as a tribute to a faithful friend.
Overall, Guantanamera celebrates Cuba's identity, its natural beauty, and the resilience and spirit of its people. The song has become a national anthem of sorts, an ode to the country's culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Guantanamera
This song is titled ‘Guantanamera’
Guajira Guantanamera
This is a Cuban-style song called ‘Guajira Guantanamera'
De mi Cuba soberana, recuerdo aquel murmurillo
I remember, my sovereign Cuba, the rustle/acoustics of the river next to the straw hut, a traditional Cuban sight.
Del rio, junto al bohío que era una estampa cubana
The river flowed with such volume and vitality, enhancing the traditional Cuban feel of the area.
La libertad fue un trofeo que nos conquistó el bambi
Freedom is a prize that we won through the strength and bravery of our soldiers.
Con el verbo de Martí, y el machete de Maceo
This victory was achieved through the power of Jose Marti's speeches and the fighting prowess of Antonio Maceo.
Yo soy un hombre sincero, dijo Martí, de donde crece la palma
I am an honest man, just like Jose Marti, born and raised in a land where palm trees stand tall.
Y antes de morirme quiero, cantar los versos del alma
Before I die, I want to sing the verses that represent my soul/honest feelings.
Cultivo una rosa blanca, en junio como en enero
I grow a white rose equally well in the month of June or January.
Para el amigo sincero que me da su mano franca
I do this for my honest friend who readily extends their hand in friendship.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ramon Espigul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alantunbridge8775
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera *
Guantanamera, guajira, guantanamera
I am a truthful man; I come from where the palm tree grows,
I am a truehearted man, who comes from where the palm trees grow,
Before I lay down my life, I long to coin the verses of my soul
Chorus
I plant a snowy rose in January and July,
I grow a snowy rose in January and July,
For the open-hearted friend who puts a helping hand in mine
Chorus
The words that I write are radiant crimson and emerald bright,
The poems that I write are radiant crimson and emerald bright,
My verses are a wounded deer seeking shelter in the mountain height.
* A peasant girl from Guantanamo Bay.
@mrponchilin
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
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
Cultivo una rosa blanca
En julio como en enero
PARA el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
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
Guantanamera in English
I am a truthful man
From where the palm tree grows
And before dying I want
To let out the verses of my soul
My verse is light green
And it is flaming red
My verse is a wounded stag
Who seeks refuge on the mountain
I grow a white rose
In July just as in January
For the honest friend
Who gives me his OPEN hand
With the poor people of the earth
I want to cast my lot
The brook of the mountains
Gives me more pleasure than the sea
@boomer6611
I remember when I was kid growing up in Miami in the 70's, when a gang of ten year olds could ride their spider bikes all the way to Matheson Hammock, spend the day at the beach, eat a hot dog, soda and bag of chips for like 1.50, then ride home before the street lights came on ... we were quite a posse; Irish, Jewish, Cuban, Italian and P-Rican all riding 'dirty' with playing cards clothes pinned to the spokes flapping along singing "One ton Tomatooooo" ... good times. I should write a book.
@mikebreindel7033
You should do a Video or Movie of your time growing up in Miami in the 70's as a kid amigo. Its a great story pal. And would make a great screen play. Contact Andy Garcia in Los Angeles,. He would love your project and probably back it. Guantanamera amigo!
@arelisroldan7811
Make it student's friendly, so we can show it in our Spanish classes.
@sweetiepie4328
You could be the next mark Twain
@brennenragone3907
I lived in Coral Gables in the 70s then became a Key Rat in the 80s. loved that bike trail (complete with bike-crushed blue crabs on the asphalt) to Matheson. You gave me a great "walk" down memory lane. Thanks!
@boomer6611
@@sweetiepie4328 HAHAHAH! I just read this, thank you! You made my day.
@chukemmang
Wyclef Jean gave my generation a gift by introducing me to the great Celia Cruz.
@luisrodriguez-lv9gs
Yo creo q hasta el dia de hoy no existe ni existira alguien con el talento q tenia esa gran mujer q era celia cruz saludos desde monterrey nuevo leon mexico
@_yk9ch9hw5q
VIVA CELIA CRU, LA MÁS GRANDE CANTANTE DE MUSICA CUBANA DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS...VIVA CUBA LIBRE Y ABAJO LA TIRANÍA CASTRISTA...PATRIA Y VIDA NY LIBERTAD
@geraldadams9528
We used to sing this song in South Africa during the time of apartheid in 1976 and 1985.