Gerardo Alfonso - Sabanas Blancas ( White Sheets)

[umbertino]

HAVANA TIMES, Nov. 16 — Gerardo Alfonso was born in Havana in 1958.  He began as a trova musician under the influence of the Cuban form of nueva canción (new song).

He joined the Brigada Hermanos Saiz with the great hope of being able to visit other countries.  In 1982, yet to fulfill his dream and while performing first on a street corner in the Vedado district and later at the la Casa del Joven Creador (Creative Youth Center), he met Donato Poveda, Alberto Tosca, Santiago Feliu and others.

He subsequently shared the stage with Maria Bethania, Pablo Milanes, Silvio Rodriguez, Carlos Verela, Frank Delgado and many others.

His work, which developed starting in the 1980s, is maintained in the present as an unavoidable reference of Cuban trova.  Since his beginning he has been able to insert songs spanning all epochs (“Yo te queria Maria,” “Paranoico,” “Sabanas blancas” and “Son los sueños todavia” demonstrate this).

His lyrics have assured him a place in the hearts of all Cubans, just as his fusion work has won him high marks among specialized critics.  His songs incorporate elements of Latin American music —basically Brazilian and Caribbean— but he has also understood how to take advantage of his urban and popular roots in a range of mixtures that span from rock and reggae to rap and guaguanco, though never abandoning his trova essence.

Alfonso prefers to explore the depths of themes such as love, humanity, society and life.  His songs have been performed by Grupo Moncada, Santiago Feliu and Ireno Garcia, among other Cuban musical figures and groups.

His discography includes Volando hacia la luna (1990), Los lobos se reunen (1993), Diviertete un poco (1994) and Sabanas blancas (1996).   He also appears on several productions and anthologies of nueva trova and general Cuban music.  In addition, he has composed soundtracks for several films and documentaries.

 

 

 

Original Lyrics

 

Habana, mi vieja habana
señora de historia de conquistadores y gente
con sus religiones, hermosa dama...

Habana, si mis ojos te abandonaran...
si la vida me desterrara a un rincon de la tierra
yo te juro que voy a morirme de amor y de ganas
de andar tus calles, tus barrios y tus lugares...

Cuatro caminos, virgen de regla, puerto de mar
Lugares, destinos...

el largo muro del litoral, el capitolio y prado
con sus leones, sus visiones

 

Sabanas blancas colgada en los balcones
Sabanas blancas colgada en los balcones

Habana, mi gran habana
Costumbre de darle una vuelta a la ceiba de noche
Y fiestas en casas de barrios modernos y pobres
de gente noble...

Habana, si mis ojos te abandonaran...
si la vida me desterrara a un rincon de la tierra
yo te juro que voy a morirme de amor y de ganas
de andar tus calles, tus barrios y tus lugares...

Virgen del camino, nuevo vedado residencial
lugares, destinos...
Faro del morro y la catedral
Barrios pequeños y llenos de tradiciones y emociones...

Sabanas blancas colgada en los balcones
Sabanas blancas colgada en los balcones

 

 

 

 

 

  Translation

 

 

Havana, my old Havana

Lady of History, Conquerors and People

with its religions, beautiful Lady

 

Havana, if my eyes should abandon you

if Life should confine me to a corner of the Earth

I swear I'm going to die of Love and Desire

of walking your streets, your neighborhoods, your places

 

Cuatro caminos, virgen de regla, puerto de mar

places, destinations....

the long shoreline wall, the capitol and the Prado

 with its lions, its visions

 white sheets hanging from the rooftops

white sheets hanging from the rooftops

 

 

 

 

Havana, my great Havana

habit to walk around the ceiba ( tropical trees?) at night

and parties in homes of  modern and poor neighborhoods

of noble people

 

Havana, if my eyes should abandon you

if Life should confine me to a corner of the Earth

I swear I'm going to die of Love and Desire

of walking your streets, your neighborhoods, your places

 

 

Virgin of the path, nuevo vedado residencial ( neighborhood)

places, destinations

 The Morro lighthouse  and the Cathedral

 small neighborhoods and filled with traditions and emotions

white sheets hanging from the rooftops

white sheets hanging from the rooftops

 

 

[temperament5]

Enjoyed this song! I appreciate all types of genres, both in English and Spanish Bring it!!!

[umbertino]

Enjoyed this song! I appreciate all types of genres, both in English and Spanish Bring it!!!

Grazie..You're very kind....Ciao

[temperament5]

Umbertino

Have you listened to Ottmar Liebert "Barcelona Nights" and Gato Barbieri's "Europa".

[umbertino]

Umbertino

Have you listened to Ottmar Liebert "Barcelona Nights" and Gato Barbieri's "Europa".

Honestly..No I haven't....I know Gato Barbieri's music  though.. And I heard   of Othmar Liebert..

 

Will check these tracks you suggested. Grazie