He began composing during the 1930s, and met with a certain amount of popularity in his native city. He recorded his first songs in the 1950s with his group Los Tradicionales, formed in 1953, and politically he stood beside Fidel Castro before the 1959 Revolution.
In 1961, he went on tour in several countries with his musicians. His music, as well as his political activity, turned his concerts into a success. He was thenceforth called "the singer of the Cuban Revolution" and other world tours followed. More than an ambassador for Cuban music, he was an ambassador for Cuba.
In 1965, the night after Fidel Castro's speech announcing Che Guevara's departure from the government, Puebla, seized by passion, composed what would become his most celebrated work, Hasta Siempre, Commandante, a true declaration of love for and hope in Che.
On 12 July 1989, he died in Havana after a long illness. His ashes were transferred to the cemetery of his native city five years later. A plaque there reads: yo soy ésto que soy, un simple trovador que canta ("I am what I am, a simple troubadour who sings").
Puebla began by writing love songs, such as Quiero hablar contigo, Qué sé yo and Te vieron con él, which later became successes, and also Cuenta conmigo, Quién se lo iba a imaginar and Hay que decir adiós, popularised by the duo Claro and Mario.
From the beginning of the 1950s, he sang of the difficult living conditions of his people and challenged Batista's dictatorship with such songs as Plan de machete, Este es mi pueblo and Pobre de mi Cuba. His lyrics were serious and direct.
The 1959 Revolution inspired him to write new songs, such as Y en eso llegó Fidel, La Reforma Agraria, Duro con él, Ya ganamos la pelea and Son de la alfabetización.
His most famous song, Hasta siempre, comandante, has been covered and translated by dozens of artists from all over the world, notably in France, by Nathalie Cardone and the collective Motivé-e-s (Zebda).
His body of work comprises over a thousand compositions.
Canto a Mi Pueblo
Carlos Puebla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mi pueblo está trabajando y de alegría se viste.
En mi pueblo está latente la fe revolucionaria
triunfa la reforma agraria y más se quiere la gente
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
Este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
ya el pueblo no está pensando tan sólo en bailar el son.
Ahora es mayor la alegría, pues tenemos la ventaja
de que ahora el pueblo trabaja y come todos los días
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
Ya no hay hombre sin trabajo, ni campesino sin tierra
pues la ley de la sierra se está cumpliendo aquí abajo
En mi pueblo están despiertas las fuerzas del socialismo
y contra el imperialismo están las mentes abiertas
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
Este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
La gente está convencida de lo que más le conviene
y esta libertad que tiene es para toda la vida.
Sin miedo al imperialismo que nos está amenazando,
mi pueblo está trabajando por la paz y el socialismo
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
Este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
The song "Canto A Mi Pueblo" by Carlos Puebla is an ode of love to his beloved hometown. He expresses his pride and joy in seeing his town transformed from one of sadness and poverty to one of hope and prosperity. He attributes this transformation to the power of the revolutionary movement that has brought about the reforms necessary for his people to thrive.
Puebla highlights the accomplishments of his village, where the spirit of revolution is still alive and well. The reforms implemented have given his people jobs, land, and a sense of hope for their future. The newfound joy in the hearts of the people is evident in the way they sing and dance, and this has replaced the monotony of daily struggle.
Puebla also recognizes the challenges his people still face. The threat of imperialism looms large, and the people remain wary of it. However, he assures his people that with their newfound spirit of freedom and commitment to socialism, they can overcome any obstacle that comes their way.
Overall, "Canto A Mi Pueblo" is a rallying cry to the people to unite and continue with the revolutionary movement that has brought them so far. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of the people, but also a reminder that there is still work to be done.
Line by Line Meaning
Mi pueblo ya no está triste, mi pueblo vive cantando,
My town is no longer sad, it now sings happily.
mi pueblo está trabajando y de alegría se viste.
My town is working and is happy.
En mi pueblo está latente la fe revolucionaria
My town has a revolutionary spirit within it.
triunfa la reforma agraria y más se quiere la gente
The town's land reform is a success, and people want more.
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
This is my town, this is my town.
Este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
This is my happy town, and I love it so much.
Como llegó la ocasión que estábamos esperando
The moment we were waiting for has arrived.
ya el pueblo no está pensando tan sólo en bailar el son.
The people are not only thinking about dancing anymore.
Ahora es mayor la alegría, pues tenemos la ventaja
Joy is even greater now, as we have an advantage.
de que ahora el pueblo trabaja y come todos los días
Now the people have work and food every day.
Ya no hay hombre sin trabajo, ni campesino sin tierra
There is no man without work, nor peasant without land.
pues la ley de la sierra se está cumpliendo aquí abajo
The law of the land is being enforced down here.
En mi pueblo están despiertas las fuerzas del socialismo
The forces of socialism are awake in my town.
y contra el imperialismo están las mentes abiertas
People are aware of imperialism and are against it.
La gente está convencida de lo que más le conviene
People are convinced of what is best for them.
y esta libertad que tiene es para toda la vida.
The freedom they have is for their whole lives.
Sin miedo al imperialismo que nos está amenazando,
Without fear of the imperialism that threatens us,
mi pueblo está trabajando por la paz y el socialismo
My town is working for peace and socialism.
Este es mi pueblo, este es mi pueblo
This is my town, this is my town.
Este es mi pueblo feliz, cuanto lo quiero
This is my happy town, and I love it so much.
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.