Noel Estrada

Noel Estrada

Noel Estrada (June 4, 1918 – 1979) was the composer of "En mi Viejo San Juan", one of the most famous Boleros in Puerto Rico.

Early years

Estrada was born in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico where he received his primary education. During the Great Depression, many Puerto Ricans either emigrated to the United States (mainly to the northeastern coast area) or joined the armed forces, with the hope of improving their economic situation. At the outbreak of World War II, Estrada joined and served in the Army. Being away from his homeland for the first time in his life would in the future serve him as inspiration when composing his world renowned Bolero "En mi viejo San Juan". In his youth he joined Fi Sigma Alfa Fraternity.^[1]

Musical compositions

Estrada became a government employee after being honorably discharged from the Army. He was a protocol official for the State Department. It was during the 1940s and 1950s that he felt his true calling for composing and that he wrote and interpreted his songs in Puerto Rico and in the U.S.

Among the many songs which he wrote were the following: "El Romance del Cafetal" (Romance of the coffee field); "Verde Navidad" (Green Christmas); "El Amor del Jíbaro" (The poor farmers Love); "Pobre Amor" (Poor Love); "Pedacito de Borinquen" (A piece of Puerto Rico); "Amor del Alma" (Love of the Soul); "Lo Nuestro Termino" (Our love is Finished); etcetera. However, it was "En mi Viejo San Juan" (In my Old San Juan) that would bring Estrada international acclaim.

"En Mi Viejo San Juan"

Album Cover of "En mi Viejo San Juan"

External audio
	You may listen to Luciano Quiñones piano interpretation of Estrada 's "En mi viejo San Juan" here.
	and an interpretation of the song by "Javier Solis" and "El Trio Los Panchos" here

"En mi Viejo San Juan" is considered a second national anthem by many Puerto Ricans, especially the Puerto Ricans who live far away from Puerto Rico. The City of San Juan adopted the song as its official city anthem. "En mi Viejo San Juan" is considered a classic and has been performed by many artists. Originally interpreted by El Trío Vegabajeño, the song would later be interpreted by such renowned artists like Javier Solis, Vikki Carr, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Rivera, Pedro Rivera Toledo, Celia Cruz, and Rocío Dúrcal.

Lyrics to "En Mi Viejo San Juan"

"En Mi Viejo San Juan"
by Noel Estrada

Spanish (original version)	English translation
En mi Viejo San Juan Cuantos sueños forjé En mis noches de infancia. Mi primera ilusión Y mis cuitas de amor Son recuerdos del alma. Una tarde me fuí hacia extraña nación Pues lo quiso el destino. Pero mi corazón se quedó frente al mar En mi viejo San Juan.	In my Old San Juan, many dreams I forged in my childhood nights. My first illusion, and my troubles of love are memories of the soul. One afternoon I departed to a foreign nation, for that's how destiny would have it. But my heart remained before the sea, in my Old San Juan.
Adiós... adiós, adiós Borinquen querida, Tierra de mi amor. Adiós... adiós, adiós Mi diosa del mar... Mi reina del palmar. Me voy pero un día volveré A buscar mi querer A soñar otra vez En mi viejo San Juan.	Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye) My dear Borinquen* Land of my love Goodbye (goodbye, goodbye) My Goddess of the Sea My Queen of the palm grove I'm leaving but someday I'll return To search for my love To dream once again In my Old San Juan.
Pero el tiempo pasó Y el destino burló Mi terrible nostalgia. Y no pude volver Al San Juan que yo amé Pedacito de patria. Mi cabello blanqueó Y mi vida se va Ya la muerte me llama Y no quiero morir Alejado de tí Puerto Rico del alma.	But time passed by, and destiny mocked my terrible nostalgia. And I could not return to the San Juan that I loved little piece of my homeland. My hair turned white, and my life is fleeting, death is now calling me. And I don't want to die Away from you, Puerto Rico of my soul!

* Borinquen - another term for Puerto Rico, which originated in the indigenous language of the island

Later years

Estrada's composition "Mi romantico San Juan" (My romantic San Juan) won a first prize in the "Festival of the Puerto Rican Composer". In 1966, the City of San Juan honored Estrada by declaring him their adopted son.

Noel Estrada died in the City of San Juan in 1979. San Juan and the town of Isabela have honored Estradas' memory by naming streets and a school after him.

See also

Puerto Rico portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

References

1. ^ "Pagina Oficial de la Gran Fraternidad Fi Sigma Alfa est. 1928 Puerto Rico". Fisigmaalfa.org. http://www.fisigmaalfa.org/eterno.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-01. 

External links

• Popular Culture

Persondata
Name	Estrada, Noel
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	June 4, 1918
Place of birth
Date of death	1979
Place of death