Sábanas Blancas [English translation]

Havana, my old Havana

Lady of history, of conquerors and people

With its religions, beautiful lady

Havana, if my eyes left you

If life banished me to a corner of the earth

I swear to you I'll die of love and of longing

To walk your streets, your neighborhoods and your places

Cuatro Caminos1, Virgin of Regla2, town by the sea

Places, destinations

The long wall of the coastline

The capitol and Prado with its lions3

Its visions

White sheets hanging on the balconies4

White sheets hanging on the balconies

Havana, my great Havana

Customary to go around the ceiba at night5

And parties in houses of neighborhoods modern and poor

Of noble people

Havana, if my eyes left you

If life banished me to a corner of the earth

I swear to you I'll die of love and of longing

To walk your streets, your neighborhoods and your places

Virgin of the Path6, new residential herald

Places, neighbors, Lighthouse of Morro7 and the Cathedral8

Small neighborhoods, full of traditions and emotions

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Sheets, sheets, sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Oh sheets, oh sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(I'm going to die of love, I'm going to die of love, Havana)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Oh sheets, oh sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Sheets, sheets, sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Hey)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

White sheets hanging on the balconies

White sheets hanging on the balconies

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(I'm going to die of love, I'm going to die of love, Havana)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Oh sheets, oh sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

(Oh sheets, oh sheets)

White sheets hanging on the balconies

1. The name of a district (meaning "Four Paths") in the municipality of Cotorro in Havana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana#Districts2. Regla is a borough in Havana named after a title for the Virgin Mary in the Catholic church. In English, she is known as "Our Lady of the Rule" (traditionally, the monastic rule of Saint Augustine) or as Black Madonna: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Madonna#Spain3. A reference to Paseo del Prado, a promenade in Havana, and its famous bronze sculptures of lions: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paseo_del_Prado_(La_Habana)#El_Prado_y_sus...4. This was the theme song of the television program "Andar La Habana" (Walking in Havana), hosted by the beloved historian Eusebio Leal. The white sheets became a symbol of the Havana's spirit and loyalty. When Leal passed away in 2020, the citizens of Havana hung white sheets on their balconies in tribute: https://www.periodicocubano.com/con-sabanas-blancas-en-los-balcones-honr...5. The ceiba is a type of tree, and going around it each November 15 is a tradition in Havana: https://www.telemundo51.com/noticias/local/la-ceiba-de-la-habana/1970453/6. A statue venerated in Havana: https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2020-01-22-u199370-e199370-s27315-vir...7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faro_Castillo_del_Morro8. The Havana Cathedral: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana_Cathedral

• Artist:Gerardo Alfonso