Yo Soy Un Hombre Sincero

José Marti‘s  “I am a sincere man” celebrates the power and morality of being connected with our land [“In the mountains, I am the mountain”] and speaking from the heart. It sings that morality requires that we affirm the dignity of the oppressed [“Hidden in my brave chest is the pain that wounds it: The son of a slave people Lives for it, remains silent, and dies.”], and embracing suffering as a root of wisdom [“And everything, like the diamond, Before light, is coal.”].

These eighteen stanzas espouse a revolution rooted in dignity, not revenge.  The flowing Spanish language quatrains were written in 1890 and helped fuel Cuba’s self-determination towards independence. In the 1950s, Cuban singer Julián Orbón inserted several of its stanzas into the folk song “Guantanamera” (Guantanamo). Pete Seeger introduced it into the US in 1963 to inspire the respect and dignity of all oppressed people in the world. 

This setting was edited and translated by Thamara Bejara, the Founder and Director of Open Scene – an Orlando-based organization that brought us the Latino American Theater Festival. I am honored to set this poem to music because I deeply resonate with its message of noble dignity and sacred connection with nature. 

Keri Lee Pierson is becoming a nationally known soprano for contemporary classical music, singing with Bang On A Can at Mass MOCA, LOUD Weekend, Neif-Norf and many other national events. She is currently teaching voice at Northern Michigan University. Pianist Kristine Griffin is also known for her chamber music performances througout Central Florida, especially those through her position as Department Acompanist at Rollins College.