Guantanamera
Wyclef Jean & Refugee Allstars Lyrics
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Y estoy aqui con Wyclef, celebrando Carnival
Azucar
Guantanamera
We out here in Miami just shining
Guajila, Guantanamera
Worldwide
Guan-tana-mera
Guajila voy, de na meda
Yo soy un hombre sincero
That was then, this is now
Welcome to the Carnival, the arrival
Come on
De donde crecen las palmas
Spanish Harlem
Oahh-eee-ohh
Boogie Down Bronx
Oahh-eee-ohh
Manhattan
Oahh-eee-ohh
Back to Staten
Oahh-eee-ohh
Guantanamera
Hey yo I'm standing at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
Guajila, Guantanamera
Hey, yo, I think she's eyein' me from afar
Guan-tana-mera
Guajila Guan-tana-mera
Yo, I wrote this in Haiti, overlookin' Cuba
I asked her what's her name, she said, 'Guantanamera'
Remind me of an old latin song, my uncle used to play
On his old forty-five when he used to be alive
She went from a young girl, to a grown woman
Like a Virgin, so she sex with no average mahn
Peep the figure, move like a caterpillar
Fly like a butterfly, let your soul feel her glide
Pac Woman better yet Space Invader
If your name was Chun-Li, we'd be playin Street Fighter
Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for your kiss
A dime if you tell me that you love me
Guantanamera
Hey yo, I'm standin at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
Guajila, Guantanamera
Yo, I think she's eyein' me from afar
Guan-tana-mera
Guajila Guan-tana-mera
Soy una mujer, sincera
(I am a sincere woman)
Do you speak English?
De donde crecen las palmas
(From where the palm tree grows)
Can I buy you a drink?
Soy una mujer, sincera
(I am a sincere woman)
Uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh
De donde creeeeeeecen las palmas
(From where the palm tree grows)
You killin me
Y antes de morir, yo quiero
(And before I die, I want to)
Cantar mis versos del alma
(Sing the verses in my heart)
Te quiero mama, te quiero
Guantanamera
Aiyyo I'm standing at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
Guajila, Guantanamera
Hey yo John Forte, she's eyein' me from far
Guan-tana-mera
Guajila Guan-tana-mera
Yo, she was a rose in Spanish Harlem, mamacita beg your pardon
Make stakes at a faster rate then she fornicates
Pure traits of genius, Goddess of Black Venus
Crab niggas angry cause they can't get between us
To no sele-xion, smooth complex-ion
The lexicon of Lexington, parents came from Cuba
Part Mexican, pure sweet, dimes fell to her feet
She like Movado, and shook her hips like Delgado
And broke niggas down from the Grounds to Apollo
And then some, she took her act sent it to dim sum
And waited patiently while the businessmen come
Call late on purpose, got even politicians nervous
And made plans to infiltrate the street secret service
This gentle flower, fertility was her power
Sweet persona, Venus Flytrap primadonna
Que sera que sera she turned dinero to dinera
Guantanamera
Hey yo I'm standing at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
Guajila Guantanamera
Hey yo... I think she's eyein' me from afar
Guan-tana-mera
Guajila Guan-tana-mera
The song Guantanamera by Wyclef Jean is an upbeat celebration of life with elements of Latin American and Caribbean music. The lyrics feature spoken interjections by Celia Cruz, a legendary Cuban singer, as well as Wyclef Jean himself. The title of the song, Guantanamera, refers to a woman from the city of Guantanamo in Cuba, and the lyrics evoke the beauty and sensuousness of this woman. There is also a sense of internationalism and unity woven into the lyrics, with references to various neighborhoods in New York City, Haiti, and Cuba itself.
The chorus of the song is a variation on a traditional Cuban folk song of the same name, which has been covered and adapted by many musicians over the years. Wyclef Jean brings his own style to the song with his rapping and incorporation of other musical genres such as hip hop and reggae. Overall, the song is a celebration of cultural diversity and the way that music can bring people together from all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hola, soy Celia Cruz
Hello, it's me, Celia Cruz introducing myself
Y estoy aqui con Wyclef, celebrando Carnival
And I'm here with Wyclef, celebrating Carnival
Azucar
Sugar
Guantanamera
A Cuban folk song about a woman from Guantanamo
We out here in Miami just shining
We're in Miami, living large
Guajila, Guantanamera
A variation of the original song
Worldwide
All around the world
Guan-tana-mera
A shortened version of the song's title
'Bout to bring it to you in stereo
About to play the song with stereo sound
Guajila voy, de na meda
A variation of the original lyrics
Yo soy un hombre sincero
I am an honest man
That was then, this is now
Things have changed
Welcome to the Carnival, the arrival
Welcome to the party
Come on
Let's go
De donde crecen las palmas
Where the palm trees grow
Spanish Harlem
A neighborhood in New York City
Oahh-eee-ohh
A vocalization without a specific meaning
Boogie Down Bronx
Another neighborhood in New York City
Manhattan
Yet another neighborhood in New York City
Back to Staten
Returning to Staten Island
Hey yo I'm standing at the bar with a, Cuban cigar
I'm at the bar smoking a Cuban cigar
Yo, I think she's eyein' me from afar
I believe this woman is interested in me
She went from a young girl, to a grown woman
She's grown up and mature now
Like a Virgin, so she sex with no average mahn
She's like a virgin, but not when it comes to sex
Peep the figure, move like a caterpillar
Check out her body, it's like she's moving like a caterpillar
Fly like a butterfly, let your soul feel her glide
Move gracefully like a butterfly and let her feel it
If your name was Chun-Li, we'd be playin Street Fighter
If your name was Chun-Li, we'd be playing video games
Penny for your thoughts, a nickel for your kiss
What's on your mind, and can I have a kiss?
A dime if you tell me that you love me
I'll give you a dime if you confess your love for me
Soy una mujer, sincera
I am a sincere woman
Do you speak English?
Can you speak English?
Can I buy you a drink?
Can I purchase a beverage for you?
Uh-huh uh-huh uh-huh
A vocalization with no specific meaning
You killin me
You're making me laugh
Y antes de morir, yo quiero
And before I die, I want to
Cantar mis versos del alma
Sing the verses from my soul
Te quiero mama, te quiero
I love you, mom
Hey yo John Forte, she's eyein' me from far
Hey John Forte, that woman is checking me out from a distance
Yo, she was a rose in Spanish Harlem, mamacita beg your pardon
She was like a rose in Spanish Harlem, excuse me, beautiful woman
Make stakes at a faster rate then she fornicates
Makes money quickly and makes love just as quickly
Pure traits of genius, Goddess of Black Venus
Incredibly talented and beautiful
Crab niggas angry cause they can't get between us
Jealous guys upset because they can't come between us
To no sele-xion, smooth complex-ion
Without discrimination, with a smooth complexion
The lexicon of Lexington, parents came from Cuba
Educated and from a Cuban background
Part Mexican, pure sweet, dimes fell to her feet
Part Mexican, sweet and beautiful, with no shortage of admirers
She like Movado, and shook her hips like Delgado
She likes Movado (a reggae artist), and dances like Delgado (an athlete)
And broke niggas down from the Grounds to Apollo
And got rich guys from the projects to the wealthy Apollo Theater
And then some, she took her act sent it to dim sum
And then some, she took her show to dim sum (a restaurant) and beyond
And waited patiently while the businessmen come
And waited patiently for the businessmen to arrive
Call late on purpose, got even politicians nervous
Called late on purpose, even made politicians nervous
And made plans to infiltrate the street secret service
And made plans to be a part of the covert street service
This gentle flower, fertility was her power
This delicate woman's power was her ability to have children
Sweet persona, Venus Flytrap primadonna
She had a sweet personality, but could also be manipulative
Que sera que sera she turned dinero to dinera
Whatever will be, will be, she turned money into more money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Peter Seeger, Julian Orbon, Hector Angulo, Jose Fernandez Diaz, Fernandez Diaz Jose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@centaviodehernandez
Rip to the Queen Of Salsa Celia Cruz I wish 😢 I Could Have Meet Her And Gave Her A Big Hug
@propertymanagersco.8233
Real talk
@ladyfatass7470
Wait there was another before her right?
@boybblue
Me too
@mauricedavis2160
🙏🥰✊
@bikercrossfox
Era una bruja no creo que esté en paz, está ardiendo y los gusanos se la están tragando
@chukemmang
This song is eternal. If you are opportuned to come back in 10 thousand years, this song will still be a classic. Thank you Celia Cruz and Wyclef for giving mankind this masterpiece.
@mriyefa2196
Beautiful tribute to an iconic song. Great to have Celia Cruz on board. Quality work from Wyclef Jean and the team. 25 years later still nice to hear.
@sir_habedi4296
Amen
@hybridangel3403
Love Caribbean unity 🇬🇩🇯🇲