Guantanamera
Celia Cruz & Sonora Matancera 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
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
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