Rafael Hernandez was the most popular Boricua singer of the 1940’s and 50’s. He composed as many as 3,000 songs (some number were never recorded). Some of the most famous songs he composed are Lamento Boricua, Deselvo de Amor, Preciosa and Perfume de Gardenia. While some of his songs were upbeat and danceable like El Cumbanchero, (which was made popular by Miguelito Valdes ‘Mr. Babalu’) many were about romance such as Deselvo de Amor and his love of Borinquen, such as Preciosa. However, the less known message of Rafael’s songs is his revolutionary and Anti-colonial messages in his wildly popular songs such as Lamento Boricua and Preciosa.

Rafael Hernandez Marin was born in 1892 on October 24 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. This was several years before the United States began occupying Puerto Rico. He and his 3 siblings were raised primarily by their grandmother.  At the age of 12 Rafael asked to study music and studied in San Juan. He learned to play the guitar, tuba, violin, piano and clarinet, among other instruments. He also began composing songs.  After getting a full education from the school of music in San Juan. He joined the military and fought in WWI. Upon returning home, he then began to perform with Pedro Flores and formed his own band called Trio Borincano (however despite the name only Rafael was Boricua, the other two were Dominican and Cuban). His career took of and he was soon the most popular musician and composer in Puerto Rico from 1940’s up until his death. The only musician to be nearly as popular in Borinquen at the same time was Felipe ‘La Voz’ Rodriguez.

“Se oye este lamento por doquier
En mi desdichada Borinquen, sí
Y triste el jibarito va
Pensando así, diciendo así
Llorando así por el camino:
“Que será de Borinquen mi Dios querido?
Que será de mis hijos y de mi hogar”

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“Their laments are heard everywhere

in my poor Borinquen, yes!

And wistful the jibaro goes on thinking this, saying this,

What will become of Borinquen dear God

What will happen to my children and my home”

From ‘Lamento Borincano’(link), Rafael Hernandez. 

Originally the song was to include the lyrics “the American Tyrant’s wickedness”but Luis Munoz Marin told him to change the lyrics, Rafael changed the lyrics to “

I don’t care how the tyrant treats you

With black evil

”. This song was especially controversial because it showed a deep anger and resentment towards the American occupation of Borinquen. The song once caused a riot at a performance between Puerto Ricans and Americans. After that Hernandez was advised to go and record in Cuba. He did and composed many successful songs there. He also became influenced by the Cuban Boleros. Rafael then began to compose the more romantic songs and boleros that he is better known for. 

“No importa el tirano te trate

Con negra maldad

Preciosa serás sin bandera”

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”No matter the how tyrant treats you

with black evil

precious you will be without a flag”

-from ‘Preciosa’ (link)Rafael Hernandez.  Note: above is a rough translation. 

This article is dedicated to Rafael Hernandez and his music. May the music and the revolutionary and resistant mind of Rafael Hernandez never be forgotten. And may Rafael continue to influence and guide his family from the World of the Ancestors  

Note: I will soon follw up this article with an article on ‘Cacique Hatuey’.