Chan Chan
Buena Vista Social Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
El cariño que te tengo
No te lo puedo negar
Se me sale la babita
Yo no lo puedo evitar
Cuando Juanica y Chan Chan
En el mar cernían arena
Como sacudía el jibe
A Chan Chan le daba pena
Limpia el camino de pajas
Que yo me quiero sentar
En aquel tronco que veo
Y así no puedo llegar
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
The song "Chan Chan" by Buena Vista Social Club tells the story of a man who is traveling from Alto Cedro to Marcané, Cueto, and Mayarí. The lyrics repeat the journey several times, emphasizing the man's determination to reach his destination. Along the way, he expresses his deep affection for someone, saying that he cannot deny his love for them and that he cannot help but be overcome with emotion when he thinks of them.
The lyrics also tell a story about two people, Juanica and Chan Chan, who are sifting sand on the beach. When the wind blows the sail of their boat, Chan Chan feels sad and guilty because he cannot help with the work. The man traveling to Marcané, Cueto, and Mayarí is looking for a place to rest and relax, but he struggles to find it because the road is blocked by straw.
Overall, the song is a mixture of romantic yearning and the joys and struggles of everyday life. The repetition of the journey and the mention of specific places adds a sense of groundedness and realism to the lyrics, while the imagery of the sand and the boat on the beach adds a touch of poetry.
Line by Line Meaning
De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané
I am traveling from Alto Cedro to Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
I arrive at Cueto and then continue my journey to Mayarí
El cariño que te tengo
The love I have for you
No te lo puedo negar
I cannot deny it to you
Se me sale la babita
I am so overwhelmed by this love that I can't help drooling
Yo no lo puedo evitar
I just cannot control it
Cuando Juanica y Chan Chan
When Juanica and Chan Chan
En el mar cernían arena
Were sifting sand in the sea
Como sacudía el jibe
How the jibe was shaking
A Chan Chan le daba pena
It made Chan Chan feel sad
Limpia el camino de pajas
Clear away the straw from the path
Que yo me quiero sentar
Because I want to sit down
En aquel tronco que veo
On that log that I see
Y así no puedo llegar
But I cannot get there
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
I am traveling from Alto Cedro to Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
I arrive at Cueto and then continue my journey to Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
I am traveling from Alto Cedro to Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
I arrive at Cueto and then continue my journey to Mayarí
De alto Cedro voy para Marcané
I am traveling from Alto Cedro to Marcané
Llego a Cueto, voy para Mayarí
I arrive at Cueto and then continue my journey to Mayarí
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Maximo Francisco Repilado Munoz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsKia6
My dad was in Cuba to work when suddenly died. The rest of us we were back in Italy, I Will never forget that phone call telling us the sad new, never seen my dad again. Many years passed, this song and this album make me cry all the times because I Will Always feel this special connection with this island, like my Dad Is still there enjoying the music, the lovely Friends, the mojitos... I like to think like that. Love to Cuba.
@lisbethsalander8931
What a touching tribute! I am speechless..I like BVSC, too.
@jamespicken531
God will see your tears, you will see your Dad one day in the next life.
@petertaylor3600
So sorry that that happened to you and for your loss. But, what a send off he got! Better by far than being in obscurity as was the case prior to being rediscovered so spectacularly. Having said that, was he a member of that group, all probably gone by now? In that case, which?
@bahez761
God rest in peace the soul of your dad. Beautiful music
@yuliademenkova5325
Oh dear....
@Wil_Dasovich
Man Cuba is something special...a history full of tragedy, but a rich in culture!
@harrycallahan5345
Oh yes, the Music is legendary
@LuisFDeAguiar
That's pure true...
@platosbeard4449
@@MN-kp2lm Spot on. The criminal economic blockade imposed by the US rogue state has not broken the wonderful Cuban spirit. Viva la Revolucion!