This is the
signature song of
Francisco Repilado,
a.k.a Compay
Segundo, a classic
'son', the
standard of
traditional Cuban
music. What sets
it apart from any
other 'son' is the
bass line and the
syncopated melodic
phrasings, or 'tumbao,'
an integral part
of Cuban rhythm.
The two central
characters, 'Juanica'
and 'Chan Chan,'
are legends of
Cuban folklore;
the lyrics capture
the life and
culture of the 'guajiro,'
or peasant of
rural Cuba. Compay
himself was born
in such a setting,
in Oriente
province, which is
often
referred to as the
cradle and soul of
Cuban music. As is
commonly the case
with Cuban lyrics,
"Chan
Chan" is a
series of images
without a clear
narrative arc.
Here, a poetic
erotica is
juxtaposed
with-and made more
poignant
by-references to
the back-breaking
work of the sugar
cane fields.
"Chan
Chan" Written
by Francisco Repilado
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Copyright
Woodfield Music o/b/o
A.P.A./Copyright World
Circuit |
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