Portabales was born José Guillermo Quesada del Catillo in the province of Rodas, in the former department of Las Villas.
At age 11, Portabales began work as a printer's assistant in Cienfuegos.
In 1928, he made his radio debut on the station CMHI, and from then on divided his time between his work as a printer and performing.
In the beginning, Portabales sang a variety of styles -- canción, tango, bolero, son until he discovered that his listeners enjoyed the guajira the most. He thereby refined the style and developed his signature salon guajira style in which he depicted in bucolic terms the life of the Cuban guajira (the rural campesino). Portabales sang and played guitar, accompanied bass and percussion. His guajiras have a gentle, lilting rhythm, mixing elements of the traditional son and the bolero.
Portabales continued to perform and perfect the guajira in eastern Cuba (the Orient) until invited to Puerto Rico in 1936. Portabales became instantly enamored of the neighboring Caribbean island and remained there for several years, singing in theaters, clubs and on the radio. In 1939, he married the puertoriqueña Arah Mina López, a journalist who joined him as toured Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, New York, and Tampa.
In 1940, Portabales returned to Havana to perform on stage and on radio with the Trio Matamoros. He also made a successful tour of United States and took an extended stay in Baranquilla, Colombia.
In 1953, Portabales finally settled for good in Puerto Rico, where he continued to record and perform and from where he made occasional tours of the continent. During the 1960s, he expressed his opposition to the Cuban Revolution in several compositions in discreetly poetic terms.
Portabales' career was tragically cut short when he died at age 59 in a traffic accident on Puerto Rico in 1970.
Flor de Amor
Guillermo Portabales Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So in love like the birds love the trees, baby .
So in love like with you and with me, baby.
So in love like the sun loves the sky, baby.
So in love like with you and without, baby.
Todo empieza con un intercambio de miradas
Con una sonrisa inexplicable que no recordabas
No entiendes nada aunque sientes la conexión
Hasta el más frío siente el calor que desprende
Hasta el más duro se ablanda si estás en frente
A veces ni tu te comprendes cuando sucede
Tu forma de actuar puede que cambie así de
repente
Es la mayor de las fuerzas sobre la tierra
La única capaz de acabar con la guerra
Va más allá del cielo, es más profundo que el mar
Es el anzuelo que todos quieren picar y te aferras
A la esperanza de poder conocer ese cosquilleo
Que sientes dentro, lo llaman deseo
Un beso bastará para saborear la miel
Se te erizará la piel si sientes que es verdadero .
()
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
Sé que también te ha hecho perder la cabeza
Ha sacado lo mejor y lo peor de ti
Da igual tu condición, esto trata de unir dos piezas
Es la única razón por la que estamos aquí
Es el dolor más intenso, la inmensa felicidad
La vida en estado puro, es tu cárcel, tu libertad
Son lazos y capítulos, tu única necesidad
Por ello seríamos capaces de morir y matar
No importa la distancia, no importa tu apariencia
Aquí no importa tu clase social, tampoco tus
creencias
Es pura magia que intenta estudiar la ciencia
Ponerse a temblar solo con sentir su presencia
Vuestras diferencias se complementan en realidad
Las prioridades cambian, sientes la complicidad
No es casualidad si el tiempo se para en seco
Podrás oír su eco rebotando en la eternidad
()
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
Quizás seas de los que piensa que es solo una
estupidez
Entiendo la pasión que sientes la primera vez
Comprendo el miedo, yo también lo tengo, admito
Es como una droga, hay quien lo pierde todo
mientras otros llegan hasta el infinito
Aunque no toda historia es tan maravillosa
Hay espinas que se clavan por el camino de rosas
Sientes llevar esposas si aparece la rutina y
Todo termina de manera silenciosa
Hay quien supera las crisis, también los hay que no
La serpiente me dio la manzana, no fui yo quien la
mordió
La tentación a menudo rompe amistades
Si los celos te invaden, se apoderarán de tu razón
Dicen que nada es para siempre,
Lo eterno aburre a algunos porque para algunos
nunca es suficiente
Disfruta del camino mientras puedas
Que no te importe el destino, no sabes lo lejos que
queda
Enfrente del quinto elemento no vais a perder el
tiempo
Porque la vida se basa en vivir el momento
Será parte de tu cuento para bien o para mal
Te compadezco si aún no conocer lo que es amar
()
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Far from home . Far from home .
So in love like the birds love the trees, baby .
So in love like with you and with me, baby.
So in love like the sun loves the sky, baby.
So in love like with you and without, baby.
The song "Flor de Amor" by Guillermo Portabales speaks about the intense and overwhelming feeling of being in love. The lyrics compare the depth of this love to natural elements, such as the way birds love trees, the sun the sky, and how it runs so deep within the hearts of two people that it becomes a force greater than anything in the world. The song talks about how love often starts with a simple exchange of glances, leading to inexplicable emotions that leave you feeling vulnerable and exhilarated at the same time.
The song goes on to describe love as a unifying force that transcends social class and differences in beliefs. It's portrayed as an emotion that can make a tough person tender and bring warmth to even the coldest hearts. The lyrics also suggest that love can have the power to destroy and create, symbolizing the dichotomy of emotions it can evoke. The song ends on a note of hope, hinting that despite the challenges that love can bring, it's still something worth pursuing and cherishing.
Line by Line Meaning
So in love like the birds love the trees, baby .
We are deeply and completely in love with each other, similar to how birds have an inseparable connection with trees.
So in love like with you and with me, baby.
Our love for each other is so pure and strong that it binds us together as one.
So in love like the sun loves the sky, baby.
Our love is as radiant and powerful as the sun's love for the sky.
So in love like with you and without, baby.
Our love for each other is so strong that we cannot imagine living without one another.
Todo empieza con un intercambio de miradas
The connection between two individuals in love often starts with a simple exchange of glances.
Con una sonrisa inexplicable que no recordabas
A smile that you cannot explain and cannot forget.
No entiendes nada aunque sientes la conexión
Even though you don't understand it, you feel the strong connection between the two of you.
La emoción que manda el corazón y te regala alas
The emotion of love takes over your heart and uplifts you to new heights.
Hasta el más frío siente el calor que desprende
Even the coldest of personalities can feel the warmth emanating from a strong love connection.
Hasta el más duro se ablanda si estás en frente
Even the toughest exterior can soften when confronted with the power of love.
A veces ni tu te comprendes cuando sucede
Sometimes even you do not understand how quickly and powerfully love can strike.
Tu forma de actuar puede que cambie así de repente
Your behavior can suddenly change when you are overcome with love.
Es la mayor de las fuerzas sobre la tierra
The power of love is the strongest force on Earth.
La única capaz de acabar con la guerra
It is the only force capable of ending wars.
Va más allá del cielo, es más profundo que el mar
Love goes beyond the bounds of the sky and is deeper than the ocean.
Es el anzuelo que todos quieren picar y te aferras
Love is the allure that everyone desires and clings to.
A la esperanza de poder conocer ese cosquilleo
The hope of experiencing that feeling of excitement that comes with love.
Que sientes dentro, lo llaman deseo
The feeling inside that they call desire.
Un beso bastará para saborear la miel
A simple kiss is enough to taste the sweetness of love.
Se te erizará la piel si sientes que es verdadero .
You will feel a shiver down your spine if you know that love is true.
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Our love for each other is so strong, we want to run away together and leave everything behind.
Far from home . Far from home .
We want to escape to a place far away, to be alone with each other and our love.
Sé que también te ha hecho perder la cabeza
I know that love has also made you lose your head.
Ha sacado lo mejor y lo peor de ti
Love has brought out both the best and the worst in you.
Da igual tu condición, esto trata de unir dos piezas
No matter your situation, love is about bringing two halves together.
Es la única razón por la que estamos aquí
Love is the only reason we are here.
Es el dolor más intenso, la inmensa felicidad
Love can bring both intense pain and immense happiness.
La vida en estado puro, es tu cárcel, tu libertad
Love is life in its purest form - it can be your prison or your freedom.
Son lazos y capítulos, tu única necesidad
Love creates bonds and chapters that become your only true need.
Por ello seríamos capaces de morir y matar
Love can drive us to do the most intense things, including dying and killing.
No importa la distancia, no importa tu apariencia
Love doesn't care about distance or appearance.
Aquí no importa tu clase social, tampoco tus creencias
Social status and beliefs do not matter in matters of love.
Es pura magia que intenta estudiar la ciencia
Love is pure magic that even science cannot fully understand.
Ponerse a temblar solo con sentir su presencia
You can begin to shake just by feeling the presence of someone you love.
Vuestras diferencias se complementan en realidad
In reality, your differences complement each other.
Las prioridades cambian, sientes la complicidad
Priorities change when you feel a special connection with someone.
No es casualidad si el tiempo se para en seco
If time seems to stop in its tracks, it is not by chance.
Podrás oír su eco rebotando en la eternidad
You can hear the echo of your love bouncing back into eternity.
Quizás seas de los que piensa que es solo una estupidez
Perhaps you are one of those who thinks that love is just nonsense.
Entiendo la pasión que sientes la primera vez
I understand the passion that you feel the first time.
Comprendo el miedo, yo también lo tengo, admito
I understand the fear, I also have it, I admit.
Es como una droga, hay quien lo pierde todo mientras otros llegan hasta el infinito
Love is like a drug, some lose everything while others soar to infinity.
Aunque no toda historia es tan maravillosa
Although not every love story is perfect.
Hay espinas que se clavan por el camino de rosas
There are thorns that hurt along the path of love.
Sientes llevar esposas si aparece la rutina y Todo termina de manera silenciosa
You can feel chained when routine sets in and everything ends silently.
Hay quien supera las crisis, también los hay que no
Some relationships survive crises, others do not.
La serpiente me dio la manzana, no fui yo quien la mordió
The snake gave me the apple, I was not the one who bit into it.
La tentación a menudo rompe amistades
Temptation often ruins friendships.
Si los celos te invaden, se apoderarán de tu razón
If jealousy takes over, it will consume your common sense.
Dicen que nada es para siempre,
They say that nothing is forever.
Lo eterno aburre a algunos porque para algunos nunca es suficiente
Eternity bores some because it is never enough for them.
Disfruta del camino mientras puedas
Enjoy the journey while you can.
Que no te importe el destino, no sabes lo lejos que queda
Don't worry about the destination, you don't know how far away it is.
Enfrente del quinto elemento no vais a perder el tiempo
In front of the fifth element, you will not waste any time.
Porque la vida se basa en vivir el momento
Because life is based on living in the moment.
Será parte de tu cuento para bien o para mal
It will be a part of your story, for better or for worse.
Te compadezco si aún no conocer lo que es amar
I pity you if you still do not know what love is.
We ' re so in love, we wanna run away .
Our love for each other is so strong, we want to run away together and leave everything behind.
Far from home . Far from home .
We want to escape to a place far away, to be alone with each other and our love.
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@omrcz
Cuando era pequeno, mi papa solia tocar esta cancion cuando estabamos en casa. Hoy, asi como de la nada me broto el recuerdo de que existia esta perla Cubana y vine a escucharla, casi como si mi viejito desde el cielo me estuviera pidiendo que toque esta cancion. Gracias por todo viejo, me dejaste de herencia estas bellezas musicales.
@hansdk1970
Que hermosa música. No hay comparación con la basura de hoy. No creo que sea tan viejo pero creo que estas letras y estas voces nunca pasarán de moda para la gente que aprecia la buena música.
@rose-mariepeluso9052
P
@joseabimeleccastro2089
Recordando momentos..... eso trae Portabales, poemas de amor , melodias inolvidables . Hermoso. Gracias Libelle
@hansdk1970
Que hermoso.......es la prueba de que la buena música nunca pasará de moda. Sentimiento, Música y.......todo. Hermoso. Saludo desde Colombia
@SBDirtySanchez
Que bueno se siente cantar esta cancion, que bueno es decir que me gusta esta cancion y tengo 19
@dofche
GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR.... DIOS MIO esto esta en la sangre imposible de sacar moriremos con el son
@jorgecaballerocarpio1596
Exacto esta Música solamente lo entendemos los latinos. Saludos desde Chimbote_peru
@gustavoalbertodelacolinays5029
Esta canción es muy hermosa y es nostálgica para mi familia ya que mi abuelo la bailo con mi abuela el día en que se casaron
@kidragakas
I love this song. I first heard this song on Seachange, when Diver Dan left. It's so sweet, yet sad. It always brings a little tear to my eye, :) Thanks for helping me relive something.