OUR ANTHEM

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera,

A woman of Guantanamo, a young woman of Guantanamo.

I'm just a human being

who is trying to do some good before dying,

To ask each individual and her/his sister/brother-

To bear no ill toward each other.

This life will never be hollow-

To those who listen and follow.

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera,

A woman of Guantanamo, a young woman of Guantanamo.

I write my rhymes to uncover-

My secret feelings, the rambling thoughts of your lover.

I write my rhymes with no learning,

And yet with truth they are burning,

Yet, is the world waiting for them?

Or will they all just ignore them?

Have I a poet's illusion,

A dream to die in seclusion?

Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera,

A woman of Guantanamo, a young woman of Guantanamo.

A little brook on a mountain,

The cooling spray of a fountain-

Arouse in me an emotion,

More than the vast boundless ocean,

For there is a wealth beyond measure-

In little things that we treasure.