Guantanamera

Pete Seeger

About Guantanamera

"Guantanamera" (Spanish: "from Guantánamo, feminine" indicating a woman from Guantánamo) is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song, especially when using a poem by the Cuban poet José Martí for the lyrics. The official writing credits have been given to Joseíto Fernández, who first popularized the song on radio as early as 1929 (although it is unclear when the first release as a record occurred). In 1966, a version by American vocal group the Sandpipers, based on an arrangement by the Weavers from their May 1963 Carnegie Hall Reunion concert, became an international hit. It has been recorded by many other solo artists, notably by Willy Chirino, Julio Iglesias, Joan Baez, Albita, Jimmy Buffett, Celia Cruz, Bobby Darin, Raul Malo, Joe Dassin, Muslim Magomayev, José Feliciano, Biser Kirov, Wyclef Jean, Puerto Plata, Trini Lopez, La Lupe, Nana Mouskouri, Tito Puente, Andy Russell, Gloria Estefan, Pete Seeger, Robert Wyatt (under the title "Caimanera"), and by such groups as The Mavericks, Buena Vista Social Club, Los Lobos, and the Gipsy Kings. 


Year:
1993
4:35
72 
#1

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The words mean, I am a truthful man
From the land of the palm trees
And before dying, I want to share the poems of my soul 
My poems are soft green, 
My poems are also flaming crimson
My poems are like a wounded fawn 
Seeking refuge in the forest 
The last verse says "con los pobres de la tierra" 
With the poor people of this earth
I want to share my fate
The streams of the mountain
Pleases me more than the sea

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Pete Seeger

Peter "Pete" Seeger (born May 3, 1919) is an iconic American folk singer. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene", which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. Members of The Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era. In the 1960s, he re-emerged on the public scene as a prominent singer of protest music in support of international disarmament, civil rights, and environmental causes. more »

7 fans

Written by: Peter Seeger, Julian Orbon, Hector Angulo, Jose (dp) Fernandez Diaz, Fernandez Diaz Jose

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Origin and Cultural Impact
"Guantanamera" is considered the unofficial national anthem of Cuba. - The song has been covered by music artists around the world and in various languages, becoming a symbol of cultural unity for the Latin music genre.
Song Composition
"Guantanamera" is a Spanish word that translates to 'girl from Guantánamo', a city in Cuba. - The original lyrics of the song were poems by Cuban poet and national hero, José Martí.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan, recognized as the 'Queen of Latin Pop', included "Guantanamera" in her 1993 album 'Mi Tierra'. Her version ranked number 74 in the Billboard Hot 100.
Joan Baez
American singer-songwriter Joan Baez recorded her version of "Guantanamera" in 1963, giving the song a wider international audience. - Baez performed the song in the March on Washington which was a milestone event during the civil rights movement in the United States.
Joe Dassin
Joe Dassin, a French-American pop star, sang "Guantanamera" in French. - Dassin’s version of the song was released in 1966.
José Feliciano
Puerto Rican singer and composer, José Feliciano, performed "Guantanamera" purely as an instrumental piece on the guitar. - Feliciano, renowned for his unique fingerstyle guitar technique, has influenced many Latin musicians.
Julio Iglesias
Spanish singer Julio Iglesias’s rendition of "Guantanamera" was part of his 1991 album 'Crazy.'
Los Lobos
Los Lobos, an American rock band, released their version of "Guantanamera" as part of their reinvention of Disney’s classic favorites in 2009.
Nana Mouskouri
Nana Mouskouri, a Greek singer, has performed the song in several languages showcasing the universal appeal of "Guantanamera."
Pete Seeger
American folk singer Pete Seeger is widely known for popularizing "Guantanamera" in the 1960s throughout the U.S. - Seeger is also known for encouraging audience participation during his performances, singing sections of the song with the crowd.
The Sandpipers
The Sandpipers were an American easy listening trio who released a popular version of "Guantanamera" in 1966. - This version reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tito Puente
Tito Puente, known as 'The King of Latin Music', released his instrumental rendition of "Guantanamera" on his 1963 album 'The King Tito Puente.'
Wyclef Jean
Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's version of "Guantanamera" sampled the original and made it into a hip-hop song. - This version of "Guantanamera" appeared in his debut solo album 'The Carnival' in 1997.

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