Versos Sencillos por José Martí (1853 – 1895)

José Julián Martí Pérez A leader of the Cuban independence Renowned poet and writer Considered the national hero of Cuba Was imprisoned at the age of 16 on charges of treason against the Spanish government (speaking out against slavery and the Spanish rule of Cuba). Was exiled to Spain due to his health Secretly returned to Cuba in 1878 In 1879 he was arrested again and deported back to Spain In 1880 he moved to New York City In 1895 he co-published Manifesto de Montecristi along with Máximo Gómez On April 11, 1895, he landed in Cuba with a small force of rebel exiles. On May 19, 1895, he was killed in battle with the Spanish troops. He wrote: "Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado."

"Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado." José Julián Martí Pérez wrote: "Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado."

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma Y antes de morirme quiero Echar mis versos del alma Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera I am a sincere man From where the palm tree grows And before dying I want To share the verses of my soul. Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Mi verso es de un verde claro Y de un carmín encendido Mi verso es de un ciervo herido Que busca en el monte amparo Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera My verse is light green And it is flaming crimson My verse is a wounded deer Who seeks refuge on the mountain.

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Cultivo una rosa blanca En julio como en enero Para el amigo sincero Que me da su mano franca Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera I cultivate a white rose In July as in January For the sincere friend Who gives me his honest hand.

Y para el cruel que me arranca El corazon con que vivo Cardo ni ortiga cultivo Cultivo la rosa blanca Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera And for the cruel one who would tear out this heart with which I live I do not cultivate nettles nor thistles I cultivate a white rose

Con los pobres de la tierra Quiero yo mi suerte echar El arroyo de la sierra Me complace más que el mar Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera With the poor people of the earth I want to share my good fortune The brook of the mountains Gives me more pleasure than the sea

GUANTANAMERA

Part of his Versos Sencillos were put to music Part of his Versos Sencillos were put to music. The song Guantanamera has become one of Cuba’s most recognizable melodies. In the original lyrics, the José Martí referred to a "guajira guantanamera“, or a peasant girl from Guantánamo. However, the song itself is structured as a guajira, which is a style of music named after Cuban peasants. Some people mistakenly think that the chorus refers to the song itself and not to an individual. In other words, this line is interpreted as an introduction to a "guajira, Guantánamo-style".

Marina Abad (Ojos de Brujo) This video clip is of a group of artists from Spain singing their version of the Cuban melody. Miguel (Elbicho) Ivahn (Huecco) Amparo Sánchez (Amparanoia) Marina Abad (Ojos de Brujo) José Miguel Carmona

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Yo soy un hombre sincero De donde crece la palma Y antes de morirme quiero Echar mis versos del alma

Mi verso es de un verde claro Y de un carmín encendido Mi verso es de ciervo herido Que busca en el monte amparo Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera Con los pobres de la tierra Quiero yo mi suerte echar El arroyo de la sierra Me complace más que el mar Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Cultivo una rosa blanca En julio como en enero Para el amigo sincero Que me da su mano franca Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

What symbols can you now see in this photo that make sense after you’ve read this poem?