Chan Chan, Buena Vista Social Club

Translation:

From Alto Cedro, I go to Marcan
I arrive in CUeto, and then I go towards Mayar.

The love I have for you
is something I cannot deny
I drool all over
I cannot help it.

When Juanica and Chan Chan
sifted sand at the beach
…
Chan Chan felt sorry/shame

Clean the path of straw
cause I want to sit down
on that tree trunk I see
and that way I’m never going to arrive

From Alto Cedro, I go to Marcan
I arrive in CUeto, and then I go towards Mayar.

“I didn’t compose ‘Chan Chan’; I dreamed it. I dream the music. I sometimes wake up with a melody on the head; I hear the instruments, all very clear. I look over the balcony, and I see nobody, but I hear it as if it was played on the street. I don’t know what it was- One day I woke up listening to those four sensible notes; I put them a lyric inspired on a children tale from my childhood, ‘Juanita y Chan Chan’; and you see: Now, it’s sung everywhere.”
— Compay Segundo