Known as the Cuban Queen of Country Music, Celina Gonzalez was born in Jovellanos, Matanzas, Cuba on 16 March 1929. She met Reutilio Dominguez at the age of sixteen in Santiago de Cuba. He became her singing partner and husband resulting in a collaboration that lasted until Reutilio's death in Guantanamo in 1971. In 1948 they began working with the famous Nico Saquito and gained increasing popularity on radio, film and television. They performed in New York with two of the greatest Cuban artists of all time: Beny Moré and Barbarito Diez. In 1964 the duo stopped performing together and Celina continued as a soloist singing traditional guajira music.
The musical form she prefers is the decima. Most of her songs are written in this style and although, in the past the rhythms in her music were more guaguanco than pure Afro, they are now mostly guaracha. She sings about 'guajiros' and 'puntos' (country people) because she believes that these sectors of society are not fully appreciated. In 1980 she won Egrem's coveted Disco de Plata award for the record entitled Celina. This was the beginning of many more awards to come in the 80's. Santa Bárbara later became one of her biggest hits and is featured on the album of the same name on Egrem available via Tumi Music.
In 1984 she was awarded the Vanguardia Nacional for her artistic work and won a trip to the Soviet Union and Bulgaria with her son. In 1984 she won the award for Best Singer at the 27th International Music Festival in Cali, Colombia and after a successful tour in Europe in 1988 she recorded a session for the BBC. Her biggest award came just two years ago when she received the Golden Picasso medal by UNESCO. Then, the same year, together with her son, Reutilio, she released the highly acclaimed La Rica Cosecha on Tumi Music and performed a sell out concert at the Barbican Hall in London.
Yo soy el Punto Cubano, from the album La Rica Cosecha was a hit in many countries in Europe and also in Japan as well as being a firm favourite with the WMCE (World Music Charts Europe). Her new album Desde La Habana Te Traigo offers an exciting new canvas for her to create her own masterpiece as Orquesta América, the legendary charanga band, embrace her voice with impressive results.
Santa Barbara
Celina González Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Santa Bárbara bendita para ti surge mi lira
Y con emoción se inspira ante tu imagen bonita
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó, señores
Con voluntad infinita arranco del corazón
La melodiosa expresion pidiendo que desde el cielo
Nos envies tu consuelo y tu santa bendición
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó, señores
Virgen venerada y pura, Santa Bárbara bendita
Virgen venerada y pura, Santa Bárbara bendita
Nuestra oración favorita llevamos hasta tu altura
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó, Señores
Con alegría y ternura quiero llevar mi trovada
Allá en tu mansión sagrada donde lo bueno ilumina
Junto a tu copa divina y tu santisima espada
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó, señores
En nombre de mi nación Santa Bárbara te pido
En nombre de mi nación Santa Bárbara te pido
Que riegues con tu fluido tu sagrada bendición
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó, señores
Yo tambien de corazón te dare mi murmurío
Con orgullo y poderío hare que tu nombre suba
Y en el nombre de mi Cuba este saludo te envío
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó
Que viva Changó, señores
The lyrics to Celina González's song Santa Bárbara are a prayer to the Catholic Saint Barbara, known for being the patron saint of thunderstorms and protection against lightning. In this song, the singer's "lyre" (instrument used for poetry and music) is dedicated to Santa Bárbara, and they express their emotions and inspiration in her presence. The singer asks for Santa Bárbara's blessing and protection, and praises her divinity alongside that of Changó, a deity in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santería who is associated with thunder and lightning. The singer also brings their "favorite prayer" to her pedestal and offers their musical gift in her mansion.
This song highlights the syncretism of Catholicism and Santería apparent in Cuba and other Latin American countries. It also showcases the importance of music as a form of worship and prayer. The use of the lyre as a metaphor for one's spiritual expression adds a layer of artistic creativity and personal adoration to the religious devotion in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Bárbara bendita para ti surge mi lira
My heart fills with joy as I sing to the blessed Santa Bárbara
Y con emoción se inspira ante tu imagen bonita
My emotions are stirred by your beautiful image
Que viva Changó Que viva Changó
Long live Changó, the powerful god of lightning and thunder
Con voluntad infinita arranco del corazón
With infinite willpower, I sing from my heart
La melodiosa expresion pidiendo que desde el cielo
My melodious expression asks that from heaven
Nos envies tu consuelo y tu santa bendición
You send your comfort and your blessed blessing
Virgen venerada y pura, Santa Bárbara bendita
Oh revered and pure Virgin, Santa Bárbara
Nuestra oración favorita llevamos hasta tu altura
We raise our favorite prayer up to you
Con alegría y ternura quiero llevar mi trovada
With joy and tenderness, I bring my song
Allá en tu mansión sagrada donde lo bueno ilumina
To your sacred mansion, where goodness shines
Junto a tu copa divina y tu santisima espada
Next to your divine chalice and your holy sword
En nombre de mi nación Santa Bárbara te pido
On behalf of my nation, I ask for your favor
Que riegues con tu fluido tu sagrada bendición
That you bless us with your holy fluid
Yo tambien de corazón te dare mi murmurío
From my heart, I also give you my whisper
Con orgullo y poderío hare que tu nombre suba
With pride and power, I will make your name rise
Y en el nombre de mi Cuba este saludo te envío
And in the name of my Cuba, I send you this greeting
Writer(s): Pascual Reutilio Dominguez Terrero, Celina Gonzalez Zamaro
Contributed by Lucy V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@efrainfabricioramoscruz434
Celina:Una grande cantando una melodia grande!
Que energia muy rara siento que recorre mi cuerpo al escuchar esta cancion y ver esta MAGICA DAMA CANTAR.
Siento que he conocido a Celina y que he vivido y cantado junto a Ella.
Veo su rostro que transmite paz y alegria con ese magico vestido blanco, y siento que he estado a su lado he cantado con ella,que la conozco pero no recuerdo dónde!
Felicidades a una grande la de musica Campestre Latinoamercana.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
❤❤❤❤❤Saludos desde San Isidro de Soledad-Ecuador❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷
@1987bily
Solo tengo 23 años y se me eriza la piel cuando oigo esta cancion , pues por mis venas corre sangre española y negra , y la bravesa del mambi .Alguien me dijo q yo era latino y yo le dije q no, q yo soy cubano q es otra cosa .Ache pa mi pueblo , ache pa mi Cuba.
@luisenriquevaldesduarte5199
Qué bonito.
@efrainfabricioramoscruz434
Es un magico sentimiento que recorre el cuerpo.❤❤❤❤❤❤
@alexzamora1462
Pero si eres latino
@masiasful
Tu puedes ser el que tú quieras,pero a saber la gente como te ve a ti y te define. Es dura la realidad pero así es,y da igual si dices no me importa lo que diga la gente..
@colombianito0324
Así es Celina Y Reutilio Cali Es Cali Señores Lo Demas Es Loma Cuidad Salsera Y Alegre .... Gracias a los grandes cantantes de salsa Hoy Cali es la capital mundial de la SALSA......Vayalooo!!
@alfasigma
Es Cali - Colombia. El Teatro al aire libre Los Cristales. Seguramente este video es de antes de los 90. Simplemente maravillosa Celina.
@haroldriocondor7441
Soy peruana, pero esta musica me encanta nunca pasara de moda los felicito hermanos.
@juanmartin4524
Gracias peruana,de linda tierra,cubano.
@efrainfabricioramoscruz434
Celina:Una grande cantando una melodia grande!
Que energia muy rara siento que recorre mi cuerpo al escuchar esta cancion y ver esta MAGICA DAMA CANTAR.
Siento que he conocido a Celina y que he vivido y cantado junto a Ella.
Veo su rostro que transmite paz y alegria con ese magico vestido blanco, y siento que he estado a su lado he cantado con ella,que la conozco pero no recuerdo dónde!
Felicidades a una grande la de musica Campestre Latinoamercana.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
❤❤❤❤❤Saludos desde San Isidro de Soledad-Ecuador❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷