His musical career started at age 17 while he was doing his military service in the recently formed FAR (Revolutionary Armed Forces) created in late 1961 after the failed invasion of Cuba by the U.S.A. led mainly by the C.I.A. and the Cuban exiles in that country, the self-titled "Gusanos", ordered by former president John F. Kennedy.
The bombings by the U.S.A. where targeted mainly towards the urban settlements in La Habana, Santiago de Cuba and San Antonio de los Baños, the latter in which Silvio was living at the time. He was working as an educator for the Alphabetization Program of the Revolution in which he taught History, Mathematics, Geography, Grammar and Politics.
Esteban Baños was the friend that taught him how to play guitar while they were in the army, it was around 1964 when Silvio wrote his first songs. In 1967 he finished his Army training and started his career as a musician mainly as a solo artist but also shortly as a part of the Grupo de Experimentación Sonora del ICAIC (GESI).
Madre
Silvio Rodríguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No dejamos de mandarte nuestro amor.
Madre, en tu día
Con las vidas construímos tu canción.
Madre, que tu nostalgia se vuelva el odio más feroz.
Madre, necesitamos de tu arroz.
Madre, ya no estés triste, la primavera volverá,
Madre, con la palabra libertad.
Madre, recuerda que fue por tu amor.
Madre, en tu día
-Madre Patria why Madre Revolución-,
Madre, en tu día
Tus muchachos barren minas de Haiphong.
The song Madre by Silvio Rodriguez is a heartfelt dedication to the motherland, represented as a mother figure. The lyrics paint a picture of a nation in turmoil, struggling to find its way amidst political and social unrest. The singer calls out to the motherland, affirming his love and allegiance in spite of the struggles the country faces. The refrain of “Madre, en tu día” (Mother, on your day), repeated throughout the song, underscores the importance of remembering and honoring the motherland, especially during difficult times.
The lyrics also touch on themes of nostalgia and hope, as the singer reflects on the past while looking forward to a brighter future. References to “tu nostalgia” (your nostalgia) and “la primavera volverá” (spring will return) suggest a deep longing for a time when things were simpler and life was easier, but also a belief that better days are ahead. The use of the word “libertad” (freedom) further emphasizes this message of hope, as the singer calls for a future where the people can live free from oppression and fear.
Line by Line Meaning
Madre, en tu día
On this day dedicated to you, Mother,
No dejamos de mandarte nuestro amor.
We never fail to send you our love.
Con las vidas construímos tu canción.
We create your song with our lives.
Madre, que tu nostalgia se vuelva el odio más feroz.
Mother, let your longing turn into the fiercest rage.
Madre, necesitamos de tu arroz.
Mother, we need your rice.
Madre, ya no estés triste, la primavera volverá,
Mother, do not be sad anymore, spring will come back,
Madre, con la palabra libertad.
Mother, with the word freedom.
Madre, los que no estemos para cantarte esta canción,
Mother, those of us who are not here to sing this song to you,
Madre, recuerda que fue por tu amor.
Mother, remember that it was for your love.
Madre, en tu día -Madre Patria why Madre Revolución-,
Mother, on your day, Motherland and Mother Revolution,
Tus muchachos barren minas de Haiphong.
Your boys sweep mines in Haiphong.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: VICTOR MANUEL SAN JOSE SANCHEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
El Charlie del amargue Francisco Hierro
Muy. linda canción felicidades
Luisa Mariame encanta la musica de esa epoca
Muy linda canción de Silvio Rodríguez tremenda voz
Esteban Bustamante
Mas que un fan, es otra cosa, un sentimiento profundo que tengo hacia él, te has puesto ha pensar si alguien escuchara "Madre" por primera vez, ¿que pensaría de su letra? pasa con la mayoría de las letras de Silvio, tienes que conocer mucho a Silvio para interpretar las letras de manera correcta.
Laura Sánchez
Que bella canción. Que hermoso mensaje. BENDICIONES!!!
jesmoh2003
Para todas las Madres!!! Un poema de un maestro.....
Libertario92
Madre, en tu día no dejamos de mandarte nuestro amor... Felicidades a todas las madres del mundo en su día! Gracias Silvio por este regalo a las madres.
Thao Bui
Gracias Silvio Rodríguez para escribir una canción como un regalo a los vietnamitas durante la guerra de Vietnam. Me encanta esta canción.
María Hernández
Que hermosa canción, gracias Silvio Rodriguez por cantar este tipo de canciones.
Dioris Montilla
María Hernández,ese no es Silvio Rodríguez el d las redes sociales ,,ese es el verdadero Silvio Rodríguez compositor escritor y cantautor d música revolucionaría,,ese ertista debe d tener más d 70años vida y salud para él
Ana Maria Hernández Rodríguez
Si que es grande el amor de una madre hacía sus hijos