Their members included Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, before he left to join the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Jesus Alemany, who formed Cubanisimo. The band is still together.
The group Sierra Maestra, headed up by Juan d'Marcos Gonzales, is an outstanding nine-piece son band from Havana. They are one of the finest and most popular musical ensembles performing in the Spanish Caribbean today. They were the first group, and remain the best, to play in the old-style son line-up: tres, guitar, trumpet, bongo, güiro and vocals--as during the great days of the 1920s and '30s. They have been the pioneers in reviving this style for new generations and re-introducing it into the Cuban mainstream. They named themselves after the mountain range in the eastern part of Cuba as a tribute to the birthplace of son.
Sierra Maestra first performed in 1976 at the University of Havana where the group members all studied. Their aim, then as now, was to revive and re-explore this popular Cuban music style of the 1920s which had become forgotten. The original line-up mentioned above was slightly augmented with extra percussion (congas and maracas) and the replacement of the old marimbula with electric bass. Some of the guaracha rhythms were speeded up to allow for the move away from the slow close pair dancing of the '20s. This revival of son with a modern stamp was a sensation for the new generation of Cubans, and Sierra Maestra quickly became popular through playing the annual festivals at the universities around the island of Cuba. They won the first prize in each of their first 3 years - '76, '77 and '78. They were also appearing regularly on national TV.
In 1978, they were asked to represent Cuba at the "Festival Mundial de la Juventud y los Estudiantes" in Havana. In 1979, they took 4th place at the televised "Carifesta" Caribbean competition, also in Havana. In 1981 their first record, "Sierra Maestra llegó con el guanajo relleno", received a silver disc, a composite award for high sales, general popularity and critical reception. They also won individual prizes for the best recording, most popular song and the
highest record sales. 1981 was also the year of their first foreign tour -- to Nicaragua.
They recorded their second LP, "Y Son Asi", in 1982 and won the Girasol prize for being the most popular group of the year. They toured Angola and Nicaragua that year. In 1983 they won the "Benny More" dance music prize at the festival of the same name and took part in the IV Song Festival held in Helsinki. They then travelled to Sweden and France and to the International Film Festival in Spain (where they have often played over the years). Also in 1983, they recorded the soundtrack to the Cuban TV series "Las Impuras"; (more recently their song "A Los Rumberos de Belen" was used by Robert Redford for his film "The Milagro Beanfield War"). Since then Sierra Maestra have maintained a full international touring and recording career, around Europe, Africa and Asia.
In 1994 during their European tour, they recorded "Dundunbanza" for World Circuit Records in London, an extremely stylish cocktail of Arsenio Rodriguez tunes and other favourites. Sierra Maestra now have worldwide distribution for their music. One of Cuba's great musical secrets is now out!
El Relój de Pastora
Sierra Maestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
En la puerta de tu casa, tu reloj
Senti que se me paraba, tu reloj
En la puerta de tu casa, tu reloj
El relojito es pulsera, tu reloj
Que en el bolsillo llevaba, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame ti reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Dame tu reloj pastora
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Una mulata bien Buena, tu reloj
Me dijo que me lo daba, tu reloj
Una mulata bien Buena, tu reloj
Me dijo que me lo daba, tu reloj
El panuelito de seda, tu reloj
Que en la cartera llevaba
Tu reloj, dame tu relojde pastora, tu reloj
Dame tu reloj pastorita
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Ella no pedia disculpa, tu reloj
Mientras que me la agarraba, tu reloj
Ella no pedia disculpa, tu reloj
Mientras que me la agarraba, tu reloj
Mi casuelita, mi arrina, tu reloj
Que inundas me dobigarra
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de padtora, tu reloj
Tu reloj pastora, tu reloj
Camina
Pastora de mi rejoin pastora, tu reloj
Y espesos con disimulo pastora, tu reloj
Me dijo que pagaria pastora, tu reloj
Con el tiempo y sin apuro pastora, tu reloj
Mediden el cuarto oscuro pastora, tu reloj
Sacando cuerpo los dias pastora, tu reloj
Si la demoraste es fria pastora, tu reloj
Me di con el son de arena pastora, tu reloj
Mi cama esta bien pena pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Yo me pagare de modo...
The lyrics to Sierra Maestra's song "El Reloj De Pastora" tell the story of a man who is desperately trying to obtain a special watch that belongs to a woman named Pastora. The repeated plea for "tu reloj" or "your watch" emphasizes the obsession and urgency of the man's desire for this particular timepiece. He encounters a beautiful mulatta who offers to give him the watch on the condition that he can take her without asking for forgiveness. As the song progresses, the man speaks of his bed being lonely and expresses his determination to find a way to get Pastora's watch.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
The singer is asking for the watch that belongs to the shepherdess, who is referred to as 'pastora'
En la puerta de tu casa, tu reloj
Senti que se me paraba, tu reloj
The singer felt a sudden stop as they stood at the door of the owner of the watch's house.
El relojito es pulsera, tu reloj
Que en el bolsillo llevaba, tu reloj
The watch is a wristwatch that the owner kept in their pocket.
Tu reloj, dame ti reloj de pastora, tu reloj
Dame tu reloj pastora
The singer repeats their request for the watch from the shepherdess.
Una mulata bien Buena, tu reloj
Me dijo que me lo daba, tu reloj
A good-looking woman offered to give the singer the watch.
El panuelito de seda, tu reloj
Que en la cartera llevaba
The woman had the silk handkerchief from the owner's purse.
Ella no pedia disculpa, tu reloj
Mientras que me la agarraba, tu reloj
While the singer was taking the watch from the woman, she didn't apologize for her actions.
Mi casuelita, mi arrina, tu reloj
Que inundas me dobigarra
The singer feels a sense of happiness that's overwhelming them.
Camina
Pastora de mi rejoin pastora, tu reloj
Y espesos con disimulo pastora, tu reloj
The singer is reminiscing about the shepherdess and how she used to walk discreetly.
Me dijo que pagaria pastora, tu reloj
Con el tiempo y sin apuro pastora, tu reloj
The woman promised she would pay for the watch, but in due time and without any hurry.
Mediden el cuarto oscuro pastora, tu reloj
Sacando cuerpo los dias pastora, tu reloj
The 'cuarto oscuro' may be referring to a photographic darkroom, but it's not entirely clear in this context. The line suggests that time is passing, and the singer is still waiting for restitution.
Si la demoraste es fria pastora, tu reloj
Me di con el son de arena pastora, tu reloj
Mi cama esta bien pena pastora, tu reloj
The singer is feeling the chill of loneliness and regrets that they delayed in obtaining the watch. Their bed is empty and they feel sorrowful.
Yo me pagare de modo...
The song ends abruptly, leaving the sentence unfinished. It's unclear what the singer intends to do, but they may plan on taking matters into their own hands.
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj de pastora, tu reloj
The singer repeats their request for the watch from the shepherdess.
Writer(s): ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ
Contributed by Abigail J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rinaldogatien2495
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Ay, en la puerta de tu casa (tu reloj)
Sentí que se me paraba (tu reloj)
En la puerta de tu casa (tu reloj)
Sentí que se me paraba (tu reloj)
El relojito 'e pulsera (tu reloj)
Que en el bolsillo llevaba (tu reloj)
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Dame tu reloj, Pastora
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Una mulata bien buena (tu reloj)
Me dijo que me lo daba (tu reloj)
Una mulata bien buena (tu reloj)
Me dijo que me lo daba (tu reloj)
El pañuelito de seda (tu reloj)
Que en la cartera llevaba (tu reloj)
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Dame tu reloj, Pastorita
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Ella me pedía disculpas (tu reloj)
Mientras que me la agarraba (tu reloj)
Ella me pedía disculpas (tu reloj)
Mientras que me la agarraba (tu reloj)
Mi cazuelita de harina (tu reloj)
Que en un descuido virara
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj
Pastora, tu reloj (camina)
Pastora, tu reloj
Pastora, tu reloj
Pastora, tu reloj
Pastora, tu reloj
Pastora a mí me pidió (Pastora, tu reloj)
Diez pesos con disimulo (Pastora, tu)
Me dijo que pagaría (Pastora, tu reloj)
Con el tiempo y sin apuro (Pastora, tu)
Metida en el cuarto oscuro (Pastora, tu reloj)
Sacando fotografías (Pastora, tu)
Si la demora te enfría (Pastora, tu reloj)
Me dijo, "Eso me apena" (Pastora, tu)
Mi cámara está bien buena (Pastora, tu reloj)
Y mi rollo casi nuevo (Pastora, tu)
No te apures, que aunque lento (Pastora, tu reloj)
Yo te pagaré mejor (Pastora, tu)
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
Tu reloj, dame tu reloj, Pastora, tu reloj
@christiancardoso8915
A melhor música do mundo e ponto final 🎉.
@guillermozavala2559
Qué Linda musica cuba viva mls respetos para los cubanos de parte de tus hermanos Méxicanos
@amandaortegadeoliveira7668
Como eu amo música cubana.
Saludos de Brasil ❤
@victorbujase4939
Lo mejor en sabor , ritmo y todo ; la Musica Cubana, la verdadera.
@perripietro7272
gracias amigo a mi me gusta muncho musica de cuba
@noelahmad6668
I feel this song deep in my soul!!!
@angelicaleduarte7173
ONE OF MY FAVORITE CUBAN SONG'S ❤❤❤😊🌴👍💯
@carlosmacias8875
precioso mil gracias por subirlo
@LosTresdelaRumba60
Rafael de León. ; Muchas gracias por la información Bendiciones para usted y Su Familia.
@franciscocontreraslopez8272
Muy buena musica para siempre