Guantanamera [English translation]

Chorus:

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera *

Guantanamera, guajira, guantanamera

I am a truthful man; I come from where the palm tree grows,

I am a truehearted man, who comes from where the palm trees grow,

Before I lay down my life, I long to coin the verses of my soul

Chorus

I plant a snowy rose in January and July,

I grow a snowy rose in January and July,

For the open-hearted friend who puts a helping hand in mine

Chorus

The words that I write are radiant crimson and emerald bright,

The poems that I write are radiant crimson and emerald bright,

My verses are a wounded deer seeking shelter in the mountain height.

Chorus

*NOTE: From the poetry of José Martí, “guantanamera” i.e. From Guantánamo, Cuba – a woman (or an aire); and “guajira,” i.e. a peasant girl (or perhaps the name of a dance.) Influenced, in part, by the Sandpipers' 1966 version.

• Artist:Celia Cruz
• Album:The Mambo Kings