Buena Vista Social Club

mkosbie · Post by **mkosbie** » Fri May 25, 2007 2:44 pm

We just watched a documentary on these guys for my Latino Studies class, and I have to say, their music is really good. Actually, I'm quickly becoming a fan of the entire Afro-Latin genre. Anyway, one of my favorite songs by BVSC is "Chan Chan", but I don't actually know what it means... any Spanish speaker's want to help?

Chan Chan
============
De Alto Cedro voy para Macané
Luego a Cueto voy para Mayarí

El cariño que te tengo
Yo no lo puedo negar
Se me sale la babita
Yo no lo puedo evitar

Cuando Juanica y Chan Chan
En el mar cernían arena
Como sacudía el 'jibe'
A Chan Chan le daba pena

Limpia el camino de pajas
Que yo me quiero sentar
En aquel tronco que veo
Y así no puedo llegar

De Alto Cedro voy para Macané
Luego a Cueto voy para Mayarí

Sixfdsteve · Post by **Sixfdsteve** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:03 am

I found the video tape at a second hand store a few years ago and fell in love with it. I bought the soundtrack and it has the english translations to the songs. I will post them when i get a chance.

saxplyr7 · Post by **saxplyr7** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:32 am

It's a rough translation but here's what dictionary.com/translator says.

Of High Cedar I go Soon for Macané to Fortified height I go for Mayarí

The affection that I have to you
I cannot deny it
Babita leaves to me
I cannot avoid it

When Juanica and Chan Chan In the sea sifted sand As it shook “jibe”
To Chan Chan it gave pain him

Clean the straw way That I am wanted to seat
In that one trunk that I see
And thus I cannot arrive

Of High Cedar I go Soon for Macané to Fortified height I go for Mayarí[/url]

MoophoniumMan · Post by **MoophoniumMan** » Sun May 27, 2007 4:18 pm

I have a CD of this ensemble... I think it was copied from a record.

trumpetdiva · Post by **trumpetdiva** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:36 pm

Some of the phrases are used in certain parts of Cuba and they don't make much sense if they're translated literally. Even in other Latin American countries some of the song would be hard to decipher. There are some double meanings.

Alto Cedro, Macane, Cueto and Mayari are towns in Cuba. Juanita is the girl and Chan Chan is the boy.

Here's the non literal translation and the gist of the song.
Chorus
From High Cedar I go to Macane
Then from Cueto I go to Mayari

Verses
The feelings I have for you
I cannot deny
My mouth waters (drools-literal translation)
I can't avoid it

When Juanita and Chan Chan
Shifted sand in the sea(u have to read between the lines here-they were laying down)
Since she shook her bottom(or gyrated-more reading between the lines)
Chan Chan got embarrased (aroused or excited)

Clear the path of straw
Because I want to sit
On that trunk I see
And I can't get there like this(tired)

Repeat Chorus

Another great Afro-Cuban folk song. Love them