(October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), born … Read Full Bio ↴Rafael Hernández Marín
(October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, is considered by many to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music.
Hernández was born into a poor family. As a child, he learned the craft of cigar making, from which he made a modest living. He also grew to love music and asked his parents to permit him to become a full-time music student. When he was 12 years old, Hernández studied music in San Juan, under the guidance of music professors Jose Ruellan Lequenica and Jesús Figueroa. He learned to play many musical instruments, among them the clarinet, tuba, violin, piano and guitar. However, according to many Puerto Rican music historians, it was when he learned how to write music that his life and the history of Puerto Rican music would change forever. At the age of 14, he played for the Cocolia Orquestra. Hernández moved to San Juan where he played for the municipal orchestra under the director Manuel Tizol.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Hern%C3%A1ndez_Mar%C3%ADn
Preciosa
Rafael Hernández Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(oh, tierra de mi amor,)
de mi Borinquen hermosa.
(mi perfumada flor)
Por eso la quiero yo tanto
y siempre la llamare, Preciosa.
Isla del Caribe
Isla del Caribe.
(preciosas como el sol)
y del olor de sus rosas,
(de perfumado olor)
por eso a mi tierra riqueña,
por siempre la llamare, Preciosa
Isla del Caribe,
Isla del Caribe.....
Borinquen...
Preciosa te llaman las olas
del mar que te bañan.
Preciosa, por ser un encanto,
por ser un Edén.
Y tienes la noble hidalguía
de la Madre España.
Y el fiero cantío del Indio bravío
lo tienes también.
Preciosa te llaman los bardos
que cantan tu historia.
No importa el tirano te trate
con negra maldad.
Preciosa serás sin bandera
sin lauros, ni glorias.
Preciosa, preciosa te llaman los hijos
de la libertad.
Rafael Hernández's song Preciosa is a love letter to his homeland, Puerto Rico. The lyrics express the singer's admiration for the island's beauty and its people. The chorus repeats the phrase "Isla del Caribe" (Island of the Caribbean), emphasizing the island's unique location and culture. The song highlights the Boricua people, paying tribute to their "encantos" (charms) and "hembras trigueñas" (brunette women), as well as their mixed heritage of Spanish and Indigenous ancestry.
The lyrics also acknowledge Puerto Rico's rich history, referencing its connection to Spain and the Taino people. The singer proclaims that no matter what happens, Puerto Rico will always be "Preciosa" (Precious) to him and to those who cherish freedom. The lyrics describe Puerto Rico as an "encanto" (Enchanted), an "Eden", and a land of "noble hidalguía" (noble knightly spirit). The song paints a picture of a paradise, both physically and culturally, full of passion, beauty, and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo se lo que son los encantos
I know the charms
(oh, tierra de mi amor,)
(oh, land of my love)
de mi Borinquen hermosa.
of my beautiful Borinquen.
(mi perfumada flor)
(my perfumed flower)
Por eso la quiero yo tanto
That's why I love it so much
y siempre la llamare, Preciosa.
and will always call it, Preciosa.
Isla del Caribe
Island of the Caribbean
Yo se de sus hembras trigueñas
I know about its dark-skinned women
(preciosas como el sol)
(precious like the sun)
y del olor de sus rosas,
and the scent of its roses
(de perfumado olor)
(with a perfumed scent)
por eso a mi tierra riqueña,
that's why to my rich land,
por siempre la llamare, Preciosa
I will always call it Preciosa.
Isla del Caribe,
Island of the Caribbean,
Isla del Caribe.....
Island of the Caribbean.....
Borinquen...
Borinquen...
Preciosa te llaman las olas
The waves call you Preciosa
del mar que te bañan.
of the sea that bathes you.
Preciosa, por ser un encanto,
Preciosa, for being a charm,
por ser un Edén.
for being an Eden.
Y tienes la noble hidalguía
And you have the noble chivalry
de la Madre España.
of Mother Spain.
Y el fiero cantío del Indio bravío
And the fierce song of the brave Indian
lo tienes también.
you also have.
Preciosa te llaman los bardos
The bards call you Preciosa
que cantan tu historia.
who sing your history.
No importa el tirano te trate
No matter how the tyrant treats you
con negra maldad.
with black evilness.
Preciosa serás sin bandera
You will be Preciosa without a flag
sin lauros, ni glorias.
without laurels or glories.
Preciosa, preciosa te llaman los hijos
Preciosa, Preciosa the children call you
de la libertad.
of freedom.
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.