One of the best known Cuban songs. The words come from a poem by Apostle of Cuban Independence José Martí. In 1966, a version by The Sandpipers, based on an arrangement from The Weavers performed in May 1963 @ Carnegie Hall. This song has been recorded by Julio Iglesias, Joan Baez, Jimmy Buffett, Celia Cruz, Bobby Darin, Joe Dassin, Muslim Magomayev, José Feliciano, Biser Kirov, Wyclef Jean, Puerto Plata, Trini Lopez, La Lupe, Nana Mouskouri, Tito Puente, Andy Russell and Pete Seeger, Buena Vista Social Club, Los Lobos, Gipsy Kings...etc.
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
I am a truthful man,
From the land of the palm.
Before dying, I want to
share these poems of my soul.
CHORUS (AFTER EACH VERSE):
Guantanamera! Guajira!
Guantanamera!
Guantanamera! Guajira!
Guantanamera!
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmin encendido
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carmin encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
My verses are light green,
But they are also flaming red.
My verses are like a wounded fawn,
Seeking refuge in the mountain.
Cultivo la Rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Qultivo la Rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
I cultivate a white rose
In June and in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his hand.
Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo
Cultivo la rosa blanca
And for the cruel one who would tear out
This heart with which I live.
I cultivate neither thistles nor nettles
I cultivate a white rose.
Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace mas que el mar
With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
The little streams of the mountains
Please me more than the sea.
Words by Cuban Patriot José Martí
Music arranged and adapted by Pete Seeger
Guantanamera https://youtu.be/EHxP2QWjXJY
A musical version has been attributed to Joseíto Fernández, who recorded with Cuban Superstar Benny Moré.
https://youtu.be/Pu6FNSKQY5c
Some claim the song was co-authored
http://cubajournal.co/video-guantanamera-cubas-most-famous-song/
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=GUANTANAMERA