Celia Cruz (born as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso in La H… Read Full Bio ↴Celia Cruz (born as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso in La Habana, Cuba on 21 October 1925 – died 16 July 2003) was a Cuban-American and was one of the most successful salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums. She was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" as well as "La Guarachera de Cuba.

In 1950, Cruz made her first major breakthrough, after the lead singer of the La Sonora Matancera, a renowned Cuban orchestra, left the group and Cruz was called to fill in. Cruz was hired permanently by the orchestra, but she wasn't well accepted by the public at first. However, the orchestra stood by their decision, and soon Cruz became famous throughout Cuba. During the 15 years she was a member, the band traveled all over Latin America.

Yerbero Moderno
Celia Cruz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Se oye el rumor de un pregonar
Que dice así
El yerberito llegó, llegó

Traigo yerba santa pa' la garganta
Traigo keisimon pa' la hinchazón
Traigo abrecaminos pa' tu destino
Traigo la ruda pa' el que estornuda

También traigo albahaca pa' la gente flaca
El apazote para los brotes
El vetiver para el que no ve
Y con esa yerba se casa usted
Yerbero

Traigo yerba santa pa' la garganta
Traigo keisimon pa' la hinchazón
Traigo abrecaminos pa' tu destino
Traigo la ruda pa' el que estornuda
También traigo albahaca pa' la gente flaca
El apazote para los brotes
El vetiver para el que no ve
Y con esa yerba se casa usted

Ay que yo traigo abrecaminos pa' tu destino
Y con esa yerba se casa usted
Oye yo traigo keisimon pa' la hinchazón
Y con esa yerba se casa usted
Ay que yo traigo yerba santa pa' la garganta
Y con esa yerba se casa usted

Y con esa yerba se casa usted
Ay que yo traigo abrecaminos pa' tu destino
Y con esa yerba se casa usted

Ay yo traigo keisimon pa' la hinchazón
Y con esa yerba se casa usted

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Celia Cruz's song Yerbero Moderno describe the arrival of a healer who sells various herbs and plants to cure different ailments. The song starts with the announcement of the arrival of the "yerbero" or herbalist, and the different plants he brings with him. He mentions yerba santa, which is known to aid with throat and lung issues; keisimon, which is believed to help with swelling; abrecaminos, which is said to bring good luck and open new paths; ruda, which is used to clear sinuses; albahaca or basil, which is believed to help with anxiety and stress; apazote, which is used for digestive issues; and vetiver, which is believed to help the eyesight. The song encourages the listener to use these plants for their ailments and to eventually marry with them.

The song serves as a celebration of traditional healing practices and the use of medicinal plants. It highlights the importance and effectiveness of these practices, which have been passed down for generations in many cultures. The lyrics also reflect the idea of a holistic approach to health and well-being, emphasizing the body's natural ability to heal with the help of nature's gifts.

Overall, Yerbero Moderno is a lively and upbeat song that celebrates traditional healing practices and serves as a reminder of the healing power of nature.

Line by Line Meaning

Se oye el rumor de un pregonar
There is a rumor going around

Que dice así
That says

El yerberito llegó, llegó
The herbalist has arrived

Traigo yerba santa pa' la garganta
I bring yerba santa for the throat

Traigo keisimon pa' la hinchazón
I bring keisimon for swelling

Traigo abrecaminos pa' tu destino
I bring abrecaminos for your destiny

Traigo la ruda pa' el que estornuda
I bring ruda for those who sneeze

También traigo albahaca pa' la gente flaca
I also bring albahaca for skinny people

El apazote para los brotes
The apazote for sprouts

El vetiver para el que no ve
The vetiver for those who can't see

Y con esa yerba se casa usted
And with that herb you will be healed