Versos SencillosVersos Sencillospor José Martí (1853 – 1895)por José Martí (1853 – 1895)

José Julián Martí Pérez • A leader of the Cuban independenceA leader of the Cuban independence• Renowned poet and writerRenowned poet and writer• Considered the national hero of Cuba Considered the national hero of Cuba • Was imprisoned at the age of 16 on Was imprisoned at the age of 16 on

charges of treason against the Spanish charges of treason against the Spanish government (speaking out against government (speaking out against slavery and the Spanish rule of Cuba).slavery and the Spanish rule of Cuba).

• Was exiled to Spain due to his healthWas exiled to Spain due to his health• Secretly returned to Cuba in 1878Secretly returned to Cuba in 1878• In 1879 he was arrested again and In 1879 he was arrested again and

deported back to Spaindeported back to Spain• In 1880 he moved to New York CityIn 1880 he moved to New York City• In 1895 he co-published In 1895 he co-published Manifesto de Manifesto de

Montecristi Montecristi along with Máximo Gómezalong with Máximo Gómez• On April 11, 1895, he landed in Cuba On April 11, 1895, he landed in Cuba

with a small force of rebel exiles. with a small force of rebel exiles. • On May 19, 1895, he was killed in battle On May 19, 1895, he was killed in battle

with the Spanish troops.with the Spanish troops.• He wrote: "Es mejor morir a pie que He wrote: "Es mejor morir a pie que

vivir arrodillado."vivir arrodillado."

José Julián Martí Pérez wrote:

"Es mejor "Es mejor morir a pie morir a pie que vivir que vivir arrodillado."arrodillado."

I am a sincere manI am a sincere manFrom where the palm tree growsFrom where the palm tree grows

And before dying I wantAnd before dying I wantTo share the verses of my soul.To share the verses of my soul.

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Yo soy un hombre sinceroYo soy un hombre sinceroDe donde crece la palmaDe donde crece la palma

Y antes de morirme quieroY antes de morirme quieroEchar mis versos del almaEchar mis versos del alma

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

My verse is light greenMy verse is light greenAnd it is flaming crimsonAnd it is flaming crimson

My verse is a wounded deerMy verse is a wounded deerWho seeks refuge on the mountain.Who seeks refuge on the mountain.

Mi verso es de un verde claroMi verso es de un verde claroY de un carmín encendidoY de un carmín encendido

Mi verso es de un ciervo heridoMi verso es de un ciervo heridoQue busca en el monte amparoQue busca en el monte amparo

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

I cultivate a white roseI cultivate a white roseIn July as in JanuaryIn July as in JanuaryFor the sincere friendFor the sincere friend

Who gives me his honest hand.Who gives me his honest hand.

Cultivo una rosa blancaCultivo una rosa blancaEn julio como en eneroEn julio como en eneroPara el amigo sinceroPara el amigo sincero

Que me da su mano francaQue me da su mano francaGuantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

And for the cruel oneAnd for the cruel onewho would tear out this heart with which I livewho would tear out this heart with which I live

I do not cultivate nettles nor thistlesI do not cultivate nettles nor thistlesI cultivate a white roseI cultivate a white rose

Y para el cruel que me arrancaY para el cruel que me arrancaEl corazon con que vivoEl corazon con que vivoCardo ni ortiga cultivoCardo ni ortiga cultivoCultivo la rosa blancaCultivo la rosa blanca

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

With the poor people of the earthWith the poor people of the earthI want to share my good fortuneI want to share my good fortune

The brook of the mountainsThe brook of the mountainsGives me more pleasure than the seaGives me more pleasure than the sea

Con los pobres de la tierraCon los pobres de la tierraQuiero yo mi suerte echarQuiero yo mi suerte echar

El arroyo de la sierraEl arroyo de la sierraMe complace más que el marMe complace más que el mar

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

GUANTANAMERAGUANTANAMERA

Part of his Part of his Versos Sencillos Versos Sencillos were put to music. were put to music. The song The song GuantanameraGuantanamera has become one of has become one of

Cuba’s most recognizable melodies. Cuba’s most recognizable melodies.

In the original lyrics, the José Martí referred to a In the original lyrics, the José Martí referred to a "guajira guantanamera“, or a peasant girl from "guajira guantanamera“, or a peasant girl from

Guantánamo. Guantánamo.

However, the song itself is structured as a However, the song itself is structured as a guajiraguajira, which is a style of music named after , which is a style of music named after

Cuban peasants. Cuban peasants.

Some people mistakenly think that the chorus Some people mistakenly think that the chorus refers to the song itself and not to an individual. refers to the song itself and not to an individual.

In other words, this line is interpreted as an In other words, this line is interpreted as an introduction to a "introduction to a "guajiraguajira, Guantánamo-style". , Guantánamo-style".

This video clip is of a group of artists from Spain This video clip is of a group of artists from Spain singing their version of the Cuban melody.singing their version of the Cuban melody.

Ivahn (Huecco)

Amparo Sánchez(Amparanoia)

Marina Abad (Ojos de

Brujo)

José Miguel Carmona

Miguel (Elbicho)

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Yo soy un hombre sinceroYo soy un hombre sinceroDe donde crece la palmaDe donde crece la palma

Yo soy un hombre sinceroYo soy un hombre sinceroDe donde crece la palmaDe donde crece la palma

Y antes de morirme quieroY antes de morirme quieroEchar mis versos del almaEchar mis versos del alma

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Mi verso es de un verde claroMi verso es de un verde claroY de un carmín encendidoY de un carmín encendido

Mi verso es de un verde claroMi verso es de un verde claroY de un carmín encendidoY de un carmín encendido

Mi verso es de ciervo heridoMi verso es de ciervo heridoQue busca en el monte amparoQue busca en el monte amparo

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Con los pobres de la tierraCon los pobres de la tierraQuiero yo mi suerte echarQuiero yo mi suerte echar

Con los pobres de la tierraCon los pobres de la tierraQuiero yo mi suerte echarQuiero yo mi suerte echar

El arroyo de la sierraEl arroyo de la sierraMe complace más que el marMe complace más que el mar

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

Cultivo una rosa blancaCultivo una rosa blancaEn julio como en eneroEn julio como en enero

Cultivo una rosa blancaCultivo una rosa blancaEn julio como en eneroEn julio como en enero

Para el amigo sinceroPara el amigo sinceroQue me da su mano francaQue me da su mano franca

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera Guantanamera, guajira, GuantanameraGuantanamera, guajira, Guantanamera

What symbols can you now

see in this photo that

make sense after you’ve

read this poem?