Origins: Guantanamera

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 08:49 PM

The best translation of Versos sencillos is by Manuel A. Tellechea. Well-rhymed without changing the meaning.

Martí, José, Versos Sencillos, 1991, translation Manuel A. Tellechea (both Spanish and English); Arte Publico Press, University of Houston, Houston, Texas.
Copies can be found for less than the $10 asked for new copies by Amazon.

A few of the verses:

A sincere man am I
From the land where palm trees grow,
And I want before I die
My soul's verses to bestow.
2
I'm a traveler to all parts,
And a newcomer to none;
I am art among the arts,
With the mountains, I am one.
3
I know the strange names of willows,
And can tell the flowers with skill:
I know of lies that can kill,
And I know of sublime sorrows.
4
I have seen through dead of night
Upon my head softly fall,
Rays formed of the purest light
From beauty celestial.
5
I have seen wings that were surging
From beautiful women's shoulders,
And seen butterflies emerging
From the refuse heap that moulders .
6
I have known a man to live
With a dagger at his side,
And never once the name give
Of she by whose hand he died.
------------------
I have hid in my brave heart
the most terrible of pains,
The son of a land in chains
Lives for it and dies apart.
----------

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 05:26 PM

Maria Argelia Vizcaino summarizes as follows:
"Ya había llegado a la conclusión como han podido leer de que la melodía existía desde el siglo XIX, aunque no definida, que provenía de la fusión del Pasacallo más Montuna, que Joseíto Fernández la tomó para su Noticiero cantado (1932) y le reafirmó su melodía y el estribillo y después Julián Orbón (1958) le ajustó los Versos Sencillos de José Martí, para que su ex-alumno Héctor Angulo se la llevara a New York y se la diera a Peter Seegers, para grabar el primer álbum que la hizo famosa internacionalmente (1966), pero al buscar, como siempre, la opinión de Rosendo Rosell en sus libros Vida y Milagros de la Farándula en Cuba, encontré que él hablaba de La guantanamera de Ramón Espígul. ....."

I have left her comments in Spanish; my translation might not be correct.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 05:00 PM

The word "guantanamera" stems from the language of the aborigines who once inhabited that part of Oriente.
"Es unvocablo de origen taino, que fueron nuestros aborigenes en esa zona. Supuestamente se lamó Guantánabo (con b) que significa "el rio de la tierra", al descomponer el vocablo "gua" que significa el; "tana", equivalente a tierra; y abo a río. Colón la descubrió en su segundo viaje y la llamó Puerto Grande. Por lo que Guajira Guantanamera quiere decir campesina de la región de Guantánamo.

"Guajira se le dice en Cuba a la mujer del campo, como guajiro es llamado el campesino. Guantanamera es el gentilicio de las mujeres que han nacido en Guantánamo. Para los hombres es guantanamero....."

The quotes are from the article by Maria Argelia Vizcaino, referenced in the previous post.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 03:39 PM

As noted by the late lamented Dicho, the lyrics of the song stem from the versos of the great Cuban poet, José Martí, first published 1891, the second of three poetical works by that author:
Versos sencillos

Also in his third volume:
Poesías dispersas- 1868-1895
It has been reprinted several times in compilations of Martí's poetry, notable Obras Completas, Edición Critica, published La Habana, Centro de Estudios Martianos, 2000-2003, and Poesía Completa, Ed. de Carlos Javier Morales, Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 1995.

In the several versions of Guantanamera, ony the first verse of Versos Sencillos is constant:
1
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma,
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
2
Yo vengo de todas partes,
Y hacia todas partes voy:
Ante soy entre las artes,
En los montes, monte soy.
3
Yo sé& los nombres axtraños
De las yerbas y las flores,
Y de mortales engaños,
Y de sublimas dolores
4
Yo he visto en la noche oscura
Llover sobre mi cabeza
Los rayos de lumbre pura
De la divina belleza.

and completed in 18 verses.

http://jose-marti.org/jose_marti/obras/poesia/versossencillos/03yosoyunhombresincero.htm

In a four-part article, La guantanamera por Maria Argelia Vizcaino, she discusses the origins of the song, first broadcast in 1930 on a Habana radio station, a creation of Joseíto Fernández.

Subject: Lyr Add: YO SOY UN HOMBRE SINCERO... (José Martí?)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 02:13 PM

The oldest copy of the poem I can find is this one, from El Problema Cubano by Waldo A. Insua (Madrid: Asilo de Hiérranos del sagrado corazón de Jesús, 1897), page 58. Note that, except for the first verse, it is quite different from the above versions. As I am not fluent in Spanish, I can't explain this, although I suppose an explanation might be available for those who want to dig for it. Google does a pretty good job of translating this:

Yo soy un hombre sincero
de donde crece la palma,
y antes de morirme quiero
echar versos de mi alma.

Yo vengo de todas partes,
y hacia todas partes voy:
arte soy entre las artes;
en los montes, monte soy.

Yo he visto en la noche obscura
llover sobre mi cabeza
los rayos de lumbre pura
de la divina belleza.

Alas nacer vi en los hombros
de las mujeres hermosas:
y salir de los escombros
volando las mariposas.

Yo sé que el necio se entierra
con gran lujo y con gran llanto,
y que no hay fruta en la tierra
como la del campo santo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: GUEST,stanibol
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 02:51 AM

To Note? -

Couplet in last verse appears to require repeating when I listened to a particular utube version... ( Guantanamera - Old School )

Tiene el leopardo ou abrigo
en su monte seco y pardo;
Tiene el leopardo ou abrigo
en su monte seco y pardo;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdWo8lGLDgI&feature=related

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: GUEST,Rob
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 02:44 AM

In about 1975, I took a college course called "History of the Cuban Revolution". The class viewed a documentary that included Joseito Fernandez singing the song. I have wanted the lyrics since then, and now I have them. Thank you.

Subject: Lyr Add: GUANTANAMERA
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 06:26 PM

There is much misinformation about the song Guantanamera. This thread seems to be the best one to revive for the history and evolution of the song.
1. The tune has no known author, and was already popular in the 19th Century, especially in Oriente Province, where Guantanamo is located.
Here are Martí's original verses, called "Versos Sencillos" (Simple Verses), written in 1891 (Note that there is no reference to Guantanamo):

Yo soy un hombre sincero,
de donde crece la palma,
y antes de morime quiero
echar mis versos del alma.

Mi verso es de un verde claro,
y de un carmín encendido,
mi verso es un ciervo herido,
que busca del monte amparo.

Con los pobres de la tierra,
quiero yo mi suerte eschar,
el arroyo de la sierra,
me complace más que el mar.

(I am a sincere man, from where the palm grows;
Before dying, I wish to share these poems of my soul.
My verse is bright green and also flaming red,
My verse is like a wounded stag seeking refuge in the mountain.
With the poor of the earth I wish to share my lot,
The little stream of the mountain pleases me more than the sea.)

2. In 1932, Joseito Fernandez made his song. He sang it that year on CMQ, a 250 watt Habana radio station.
3. Julián Orbón adjusted and added to the verse of Martí I am not certain of the succession of the revisions, but the final Orbón and Fernandez verses are these:
Estrebillo (chorus):
Guantanamera,
guajira guantanamera.
Guantanamera,
guajira guantanamera.

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Eschar mis versos del alma.

Estribillo (chorus):

Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un jazmin encendido
Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un jazmin encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
(Note: Jazmin and carmín interchanged in various versions)

Chorus:

Por los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte eschar
Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte eschar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace más que el mar.

Chorus:

(Note: Third verse often replaced by this one, Celia Cruz and other singers. Verse by Martí but from another poem)
Cultivo la rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Cultivo 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 January,
for the sincere friend who gives me his hand).

Chorus:

Con los pobres de la tierra
quiero yo mi suerte eschar
el arroyo de la sierra
Me complace más que el mar.
Denle al vano el oro tierno
que arde y brilla en el crisol:
A mi denme el bosque eterno
cuando rompe en él el sol.

Chorus:

Yo quiero salir del mundo
por la puerta natural:
en un carro de hojas verdes
a morir me han de llevar.
No me pongan en lo oscoro
a morir como un traidor:
yo soy bueno y como bueno
moriré de cara al sol.

Chorus:

Tiene el leopardo ou abrigo
en su monte seco y pardo;
yo tengo más que el leopardo
porque tengo un buen amigo.

Chorus:
(Some of these verses have allusions that relate to Castro's campaign)
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.)
4. The guitarrist, Leo Brouwer, set Martí's poem to music in 1961. This seems to be independent of the Fernandez composition. The old tune was used.
5. Angulo, a student of Orbón, went to New York. He showed the song to Seegar and his colleague in protest songs, Joan Baez. The song was redone, and put out in an album, "Spanish Album, The Sandpipers." The authors now appeared as Martí, Angulo and Seegar. NO MENTION of Joseito Fernandez or Orbón. This was theft, pure and simple.
The above information from an article by Natalio Galan. It is reproduced in Spanish on several websites; the most accessible being : Galan

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: M.Ted
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 11:09 PM

The Seeger melody is so different from the old Cuban melody as to be unrecognizable--

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 02:18 PM

On the above site, www.soncubano.com, click on Diccionario and type in Guantanamera. Click and the article appears. Since the site is in Spanish, it looks difficult at first, but there is a lot there. Joe, I think this one should be added to links.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 02:08 PM

Jose Marti wrote the poem. The music came from Jose Fernandez as I understand it. The Diaz on the end is often left off. Peet Seegar put English words to it among others. The whole story is given on www.soncubano.com. an interesting site for Cuban songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 01 - 12:56 PM

I thought this song came from Cuban poet José Martí - who's Jose Fernandez Dias? He's listed as the songwriter in the first message.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the history of Guantanam
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 12 Sep 00 - 09:11 AM

from this site here

url=http://www.brevard.cc.fl.us/~cbob/folk-97.html

Guantanamera

The following information was provided by Gene Pichardo: "A genuine Cuban folk song, Guantanamera (or Guajira Guantanamera as it is known in Cuba) originated from Guantanamo in Cuba's easternmost province, Santiago de Cuba. The origin of the music is unknown but it had been used, since the 19th century or earlier, by Cuba's peasants or countryside dwellers known as "guajiros", from which comes its Cuban title.

"The melody is one that apparently lends itself easily to multitudes of different verses, and the peasants used it to pass along the recent news and novelties. The best known verses are those used today in the popular version and they are simple verses from the poems of Jos Marté, Cuba's renowned leader in its fight for independence from Spain, who gave his life during the Cuban War of Independence. The song was popularized by Joseto Fernandez."

In this country, Pete Seeger, the great singer and writer of folk songs, is credited with discovering and popularizing the song. The Weavers, a group Seeger formed in 1948, performed (minus Seeger) Guantanamera in 1961, and it was a top seller for the Sandpipers in 1966.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 04:43 PM

one should always be drunk, with wine, with poetry. or with virtue as you choose. 5'7" i'm only 5'6". give me a minute to light up, then we'll be the same height, a least for a few minutes. Actually i'm 5'6 & 1/4. in my sneakers, i'm 5'6 & 1/2. poetry by bauldelaire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 03:34 PM

Fulurum, I am 5'7", then add the heels and I figure I am tall enough.
As for smoking something, I would rather have a glass of vintage red, but thanks for the suggestion.

BB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 03:09 PM

but any ways, just enjoy the song and keep trying to figure out the jokes. maybe if you stood on a box, or smoked something, you would be higher and things wouldn't go over your head as much.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 02:48 PM

Charles, what are you talking about, is Onnie Wise?
Why is it that so many of the jokes around here go right over my head?

BB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 16 Jan 00 - 06:24 PM

Yes, but is Onnie wise? (couldn't resist it--shoulda done so).

--seed

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 07:47 AM

Hi Andres, I was having a difficult time figuring out the chords to use so Rick showed me how to play the chorus in the key of F with C and G7 following and for the verses start with the key of C with F and G7 following.
I was also only use to picking patterns and frailing. He taught me how to relax my hand and open strum. I had wanted to come to Rick with the song completely memorized. But that will take some time. Though I think he did enjoyed me bring the song to him to learn.
All your explanations are very clear. They are really helpful. I don't feel confused at all. And thanks for the extra tips posted here.
My problem is speaking other languages period. I have a hard time remembering the words. But I think, with time, I will have Guantanamera down pat in the shower.
Expecially if I drink the two or three glasses of caribbean RON (ruhm) you recommended. In that case, I best put down a rubber mat in the shower so I don't slip and fall.
Thanks for posting,
BB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Escamillo
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 11:39 PM

BB, don't worry about the "ch". Look my sentence
Note: that the letter "j" should be pronounced as the "h" in "hammer" as the caribbean pronouniation is. In Spain and Argentina it's pronounced as the german "ch" as in "Bach".
Since this is a caribbean (Cuban) song, use the caribbean "h" instead of "j", as in the English word "hammer". And even in Spain and Argentina an "h" pronounciation will be welcome as a regionalism.
When you find a literal "ch" in the lyrics, just pronounce it as in English, for example Echar should be EH CHAR. The letter that as a Spanish pronounciation similar to the german CH is the J, not the ch itself. I hope you are now well confused.
What did Rick say ?
Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 13 Jan 00 - 11:10 AM

Hi Fulurum
That is what I got from Andres and that is as Latin a Mudcatter as you will find around here.
I once wrote out my own phonetics taking it off Pete Seeger's CD. I showed it to Andres, and this is what he came up with as accurate phonetics.
I plan to show it to someone who knows Spanish well, who will listen to me and help me out as I sing the phonetics Andres gave me. It's not easy. Expecially the ch parts as in Bach. By I am determined to learn it.

BB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 11:38 PM

huh!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 10:52 PM

Note: that the letter "j" should be pronounced as the "h" in "hammer" as the caribbean pronouniation is. In Spain and Argentina it's pronounced as the german "ch" as in "Bach".
Pronounce "soy" as "boy"
All "ee" pronounced like "seed"
All "ah" pronounced as in "land"
All "eh" as in "red"
All "oh" as in "bold"
All "oo" as in "food"
One tah nah meh rah
Uah hee rah, One tah nah meh rah
One tah nah meh rah
Uah hee rah, One tah nah meh rah
Yoh soy oon ohm breh seen ceh roh
Deh dohn deh creh ceh lah palmah
Yoh soy oon ohm breh seen ceh roh
Deh dohn deh creh ceh lah palmah
Ahn tehs deh moh reermeh kee eh roh
Echahr mees choh plahs dehl ahl mah
Chorus
Mee vehr soh ehs deh oon vehr deh clah roh
E deh oon cahr meen ehn cehn dee doh
Mee vehr soh ehs deh oon vehr deh clah roh
E deh oon cahr meen ehn cehn dee doh
Mee vehr soh ehs oon cee eh loh eh ree doh
Keh bus cah ehn lah mehnte ahm pah roh
Chorus
Cohn loss poh brehs deh lah tee eh rrah
Kee eh roh yo mee soo ehr teh eh char
Cohn loss poh brehs deh lah tee eh rrah
Kee eh roh yo mee soo ehr teh eh char
Ehl ah roh yo deh lah see eh rrah
Meh cohm plah ceh mahs keh ehl mahr

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 10:32 PM

banjo bonnie (got it right) please post the english phonetics for guantanamera. thank you fulurum

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Peter T.
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 08:15 PM

I have told this story here before, but I asked a Latin American singer/guitarist in a plush bar recently what he does to survive playing the same old songs for rich Americans. He said, I sing the last verse of Guantanamera slowly and with passion.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 03:43 PM

Sorry Banjo Bonnie. Heres the B I owe you. Heres a couple extras in case i screw up in the future B B . Let me know when you run out and i'll send some more ulurum

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: voyager
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 02:10 PM

TONGUE-IN-CHEEK DEPT. -

Tune also known as "ONE TON OF TOMATOES".

Drunken parodies heard in fine Mexican Restaurants around the Southwest.

-voyager

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 01:51 PM

Banjo onnie, now that is an interesting nickname.
Hey fulurum, I may have something you might find helpful.
Andres (Escamillo) gave me the English phonetics for the song. I will post them if you are interested.
BB

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: fulurum
Date: 12 Jan 00 - 11:00 AM

Banjo onnie, your welcome. and thanks for the last part.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Guantanamera
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 11 Jan 00 - 10:15 PM

Thanks Fulurum, I've been learning to play this song but I did not have all of the English translation. From Pete Segers "We Shall Overcome" CD he gave the last verse translation he adds the following:
My poems are like a wounded fawn seeking refuge in the forest
With the poor people of this earth I want to share my fate
The streams of the mountain pleases me more than the sea

Subject: Lyr Add: GUANTANAMERA^^
From: fulurum
Date: 11 Jan 00 - 04:55 PM

GUANTANAMERA
Jose Fernandez Dias

Yo soy un hombre sincero,
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy on hombre sincero,
De donde crecen las palmas,
Y antes do morirme quiero,
Echar mis versos del alma.

Chorus:
Guantanamera,
Guajira Guantanamera,
Guantanamera,
Guajira Guantanamera.

Mi verso es de un verde carlo,
Y de un carmin encendido,
Mi verso es de un verde carlo,
Que busca en el monte amparo.

Chorus... Guantanamera

I am a truthful man from this land of palm trees,
Before dying I want to share these poems of my soul
My verses are light green
But they are also flaming red.

(the next verse says)
I cultivate a rose in June and in January
For the sincere friend who gives me his hand
And for the cruel one who would tear out this heart
With which I live
I do not cultivate thistles or nettles
I cultivate a white rose

Qultivo la rosa blanca
En junio como en enero
Qultivo la rosa blanco
En juno como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da da su mano franca.

chorus.....

Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon que vivo
Y para el cruel que me arranca
El corazon que vivo
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo
Cultivo la rosa blanco.

chorus....

Con los pobres de la tiera
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
Con los pobres de la tiera
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace mas que el mar

chorus.....
^^
from "More Together Again Concert" Pete Seeger And Arlo Guthrie and Families.

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