Marta and her group perform a repertoire of original compositions based on Latin American rhythms. She mixes the joy of the Caribbean with the nostalgia of the Andes, adding jazz and pop elements. With more than 70 compositions, she has traversed Colombian cumbias and bambucos, Argentine zambas, Cuban son and Peruvian landos, with results that evoke in whatever language she is singing in. That may be the reason that lead Marta to share the stage with musicians of different genres such as Bonnie Raitt , John Mayer, Totó la Momposina and Mercedes Sosa. Marta was also chosen to record Kris Kristofferson’s “The Circle” on a tribute to this great American icon. Marta “lifted that song up to when it’s supposed to be, to where it belongs,” according to Kristofferson himself.
In March 2003, Marta’s song "Paula Ausente", based on the book "Paula" by Isabel Allende, won the The SIBL Project International songwriting contest as the best song inspired by a South American book. The song was included on a CD among artists such as Tom Waits and David Bowie.
Her song “La Ronda” was included in the Putumayo World Music compilation entitled “Women of Latin America”. In 2005 Marta was chosen by “Fucsia”, a Colombian magazine as one of the 5 Most representative Colombian women of the year. With four albums under her belt, her self-released "Solo es vivir" was chosen by The Boston Globe as one of the 10 best albums of 2003 and her "Cantos de Agua Dulce" (2004) released by Chesky Records, was nominated for the Billboard Latin Music Awards as the best Latin Jazz Album of the year among Paco de Lucia’s, Nestor Torres’ and Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s. Her album “Entre Cada Palabra” (2005 chesky records) placed Marta Gómez as “The Best National World-Music Artist of 2006” by the Boston Phoenix. In an interview on the National Public Radio, journalist Steve Inskeep said he admires Marta’s capacity of “turning the bitter history of her native country into sweet music”.
La Flor
Marta Gómez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y de un suspiro irme pa' atrás.
Ser como una de esas nubes
Que sin pensarlo se echa a volar.
Pero no soy más que una flor
Y siempre plantada me he de quedar,
Esperando un buen ventarrón
Chorus
Y que sople bien despacito
Y así me peina la cara
Y que venga bien cargadito
De una lluviecita helada.
Quisiera ser mariposa
Y en un momento al viento ceder.
Ser como una de esas hojas
Que cada otoño deja caer.
Pero no soy más que una flor
Y este mismo cielo tengo que ver,
Esperando un buen ventarrón
Para otros lugares yo conocer.
Chorus
Y es que no soy más que una flor
Y este mismo cielo tengo que ver,
Aunque a veces cuando hace sol
De muchos colores me gusta ser.
Y me gusta cuando anochece
Y la noche está estrellada
Y me gusta el sonidito
De la lluviecita helada.
(x2)
The lyrics in Marta Gomez's song La Flor reflect the sentiment of wanting to be free and unrestrained like the moon, cloud or butterfly, but accepting the limitations that come with being a flower. The song speaks to a desire to explore and experience the world beyond the confines of one's current existence, yet recognizing the beauty and value in where one is planted. The lyrics of the chorus express a longing for a gentle breeze to blow and cold rain to fall, which will bring a refreshing sense of renewal to the flower's life.
As the verses unfold, the flower hopes to be carried away by a strong gust of wind or to miraculously transform into a butterfly or leaf. While acknowledging the unlikelihood of these scenarios, the sentiment behind the words is a universal yearning for adventure and a sense of true freedom. However, the flower ultimately accepts its fate of being "planted" and staying put, rooted in the ground, despite the desire for change and movement.
Overall, La Flor is a poignant song that speaks to the human experience of longing for adventure and change, while accepting and appreciating one's current circumstances. The lyrics are a reminder that despite limitations, there is always something beautiful to be found in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Quisiera ser media luna
I wish to be a half-moon
Y de un suspiro irme pa' atrás.
And with a sigh, go back.
Ser como una de esas nubes
To be like one of those clouds
Que sin pensarlo se echa a volar.
That without thinking, starts to fly.
Pero no soy más que una flor
But I am nothing but a flower
Y siempre plantada me he de quedar,
And always remain planted,
Esperando un buen ventarrón
Waiting for a strong gust of wind
Que a otro jardín me lleve a pasear.
To take me for a walk to another garden.
Y que sople bien despacito
And let it blow slowly
Y así me peina la cara
So it can comb my face
Y que venga bien cargadito
And come well packed
De una lluviecita helada.
With a frozen rain.
Quisiera ser mariposa
I'd like to be a butterfly
Y en un momento al viento ceder.
And in a moment, surrender to the wind.
Ser como una de esas hojas
To be like one of those leaves
Que cada otoño deja caer.
That falls every autumn.
Y es que no soy más que una flor
And the thing is that I am nothing but a flower
Aunque a veces cuando hace sol
Though sometimes when it's sunny
De muchos colores me gusta ser.
I love to be of many colors.
Y me gusta cuando anochece
And I like it when it gets dark
Y la noche está estrellada
And the night is starry.
Y me gusta el sonidito
And I like the sound
De la lluviecita helada.
Of the frozen rain.
Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.