Everybody knows the most popular Cuban song “Guantanamera”. You will hear it at any concert or a show in Cuba doesn’t matter whether it is in Tropicanа Bar, Parisian Cabaret, or Buena Vista Social Club. There are versions of the song all over the world and in various languages. The author of the popular song is Joseito Fernandez /1908-1979/, and many think that it is a story about his unrequited love for the “guajira from Guantanamo” – the village girl from Guantanamo.
Joseito Fernandez doesn’t come from Guantanamo but from Havanа. The initial version of the song praises the beauty of a farmer girl from Guantanamo. The song was written in 1928 and is in “son” style – the heart of salsa whose origin dates back to the 20s of the last century. Guantanamera becomes popular in 1943 when Joseito and his band sign a contract with the national radio station El Suceso de hoy /the event today/. Then they perform a satiric version of the song about the corruption and crimes of a famous politician.
The Spanish success of Guantanamera comes in the 50s when the Spanish composer Julian Orbon adds to the song lyrics the famous verse of the national Cuban hero Jose Marti ” Versos Senciilos” or The verse of the heart.
Yo soy un hombre sincero.
De donde crece la palma.
Y antes de morirme quiero.
Echar mis versos del alma
The song version with the verse of Jose Marti reaches the North-American producer Peter Seeger who popularises the song in Latin America and the world. It is then that the song becomes world-famous.
According to some historical sources instead of Guantanamera, there were song versions with guajira Camaguerа and Holguinerа. However, the first version was liked the most – maybe the girl from Guantanamo was the most charming one.
