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Another year

DECEMBER 31, 2008
My buddies, Osmel, Cristobal, Yeyo, me, William and Osledys on a visit back to my hometown in 1999
On New Year's Day 1959, the Communist revolution took over Cuba.  Tonight will mark 50 years of Communist rule over the island.  I miss my friends and family that are living there and hope that the new year will bring much needed change to all of us.  "Guantanamera" is synonymous with Cuba and it's people.  I've already taught our kid the lyrics and it breaks my heart everytime she sings and dances to it.   Here is a beautiful performance by Celia Cruz, who left the island as a young woman and was never able to return before passing away a few years ago.  Her music was officially banned in Cuba after she defected in 1960.
based on a poem by Jose Marti

Chorus:
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera
------------   
I am a sincere man
From where the palm tree grows
And before dying I want
To share the verses of my soul.
------------
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmín encendido
Mi verso es de un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera
------------   
My verse is light green
And it is flaming crimson
My verse is a wounded deer
Who seeks refuge on the mountain.
------------
Cultivo una rosa blanca
En julio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
------------   
I cultivate a white rose
In July as in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his honest hand.
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Chorus:
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera
Guajira Guantanamera
© 2024 Edel Rodriguez