by Miguel Perez
You may have listened to his verses in the old Cuban song "Guantanamera." You may have seen his impressive statue in New York's Central Park. You may have heard him mentioned when Cuban-Americans and Washington politicians have discussed the U.S. government radio and TV stations that bear his name or when people have been talking about streets, parks, schools or theaters that were named after him — in Cuba, the United States and throughout the Americas. His name was Jose Marti. You may know him as the still-revered poet, journalist and revolutionary leader of the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain in the late 19th century or as the remarkable writer and stirring speaker who fostered the ideals of freedom and democracy in Spanish America. read more |
José Martí
Journalist, Poet (1853–1895) Sometimes called the Apostle of the Cuban Revolution, José Martí was born on January 28, 1853. He showed a talent for writing and revolutionary politics at an early age. First exiled from Cuba in 1871, Martí spent much of his life abroad. In 1895, he returned to Cuba to fight for its independence. He died on the battlefield. Source: Wikipedia
|
Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy. |
It is necessary to make virtue fashionable. |
The vote is a trust more delicate than any other, for it involves not just the interests of the voter, but his life, honor and future as well. |
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera I am an honest man From where the palm grows And before I die I want To share my verses of the soul Guantanamera ... Do not put me in the dark To die as a traitor I am good and as good I will die facing the sun Guantanamera ... |
With the poor of the earth I want to share my fate The streams of the mountains Please me more than the sea Guantanamera ... The leopard has a coat In its dry, brown mountains I have more than the leopard Because I have a good friend Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Say Compay! That na 'ma'! Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera |
Cultivo una rose blanca
en junio como en enero para el amigo sincero que me da su mano franca. Y para el cruel que me arranca el corazon con que vivo cardo ni ortiga cultivo: cultivo una rose blanca. |
I grow a white rose
in June and January alike For the sincere friend who gives me his honest hand. And for the cruel one who robs me of what I need to survive Thistle nor nettle do I grow: I grow a white rose. |