Cuban Folk Songs?

Subject: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 05:10 AM

Does of anyone know of any traditional Cuban folk songs? I have a twofold purpose in asking: first, as everyone knows, I'm working on a sci-fi novel set in Cuba, and traditional songs are quoted and sung to add atmosphere.
Here's a short list
*Linstead Market (not Cuban, but versions have been found there)
*Babalu
*Guantanamera

Second I'm mainly interested in singing Caribbean songs as far as traditional/folk repertoire (being an aspiring calypsonian) and I'm looking for some traditional pieces to sing. (Ones where the author is unknown) However, most of the songs I've found are political. So can anyone suggest examples of Cuban folk songs?

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 05:10 AM

BTW, I turned 19 on the 2nd.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 08:03 AM

Guantanamera and Babalu are not traditional songs, in that their composers and lyricists are known, both being written in the 20th c. Cuban music is wonderful and its style unique (my husband's mother was born in Cuba and may have been a Cubana herself, having been adopted at a time when records were sealed and not discussed).
For some good sources of traditional Cuban song, try http://www.amazon.com/Para-Pilar-Traditional-Cuban-Songs/dp/B000UTZ1M8 , here , and here.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 11:50 AM

Happy Birthday.

Please outline the research on-line that you have done so far, Morwen. It will make it easier for people to help.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 06:33 PM

I've checked the Smithsonian Folkways catalogue. Nothing. But I have found a few children's songs.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 07:20 PM

"Veinte años" (on that album Allison linked to) is a great song. It's on YouTube, here, sung by Maria Teresa Vera. I thought she wrote it, but maybe not if it's on an album of traditional songs.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 07 Oct 12 - 08:13 PM

Listening to it. She has a great voice. Anyone know where I can get an accompaniment for it?

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 10:53 AM

Here's what I use, in A minor, with chords in capitals and added notes in lower case. Vera sings it in F minor. My phrasing is a little different, but I think at least the main chords would work if transposed down.

  Am      b           b              f        d         d      E     d
    Qué  te'importa que te amé            si tú no me  quieres ya?
  What does my love mean, my darling,    if you don't  want me now?
  
           c d   d   c      Dm   e E                 c  d Am  f b d
        El amor que ya'ha pasado     no se debe      recordar.
  Tho' your heart has grown cold,        I still love you so.
  
      b            b         Dm   e             c b  Am  d
  Fui la ilusión   de   tu   vida   un dia    lejano ya.
      I   was your heart's desire      one day long ago.
  
         b       b    E      d                    c  d Am    f
  Hoy represento al pasado       no me puedo     conformar.
   Now I'm only     a memory;      someone you used to know.
  
                 f    Dm     e E                c  b Am  f d b d
  Hoy represento al pasado       no me puedo   conformar.
  Yes, I'm only   a   memory;    but I can't let you go.
  
         Dmg            g               Am             d      f
  Si las cosas  que'uno quiere     se pudieran      alcanzar
      If only        a  new love  could grow  out of the old;
  
        Dm            e        Am         d      E         c  d Am   f
  tu me quis   -   ieras   lo  mismo         que veinte  años atrás.
        if you  could want me  as you did        twenty years ago.
  
          Dmg    g    g         g       Am           d       f d
  Con qué tristeza miramos          un amor   que se nos va.
      How sadly   we watched as    love slowly  slipped away,
  
  Dm      e   e           Am                E          c   d  Am   f
  Es un   pedazo      del alma    que se'arrancan     sin  piedad.
  tearing a piece from my dying heart        with each  passing day.
  
  Dm       e  e            Am     d           E          c  Am
  Es un    pedazo      del alma     que se'arrancan  sin piedad.
  Tearing my poor heart to pieces,        as love  slipped away.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 12:32 PM

Veinte Años was performed by The Buena Vista Social Club in New York about ten years ago (on youtube); arranged in its present form by Vera, but I believe its roots go back a ways.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 01:17 PM

Some Cuban Folk Songs

Yo Quisiera Vivir en la Habana (an old Habanera)
I believe the roots of Veinte Años lie in a Habanera)

Vamos a Hacer in Ajiaco (We're going to make a stew)

Al Amanecer del Día (Day is dawning)

Para los Caficultores (For the coffee workers)

Hay Aquí, Madre, un Jardin (Mother, there is a garden here)

I have brief scores, arranged by A. L. Lloyd, in "Folk Songs of the Americas."
If you are interested in these, you should search the net for lyrics; Lloyd sometimes edited lyrics but the tunes are valid.

Subject: RE: Cuban Folk Songs?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 08 Oct 12 - 05:57 PM

Q: I found the book you mentioned on Amazon, about three dollars ninety-five.