Navidad con Lluvia (Rainy Christmas)

Is a carol that stands out for its influence from the Afro-Cuban roots of the composer. Unlike traditional carols, this piece does not exude festive joy; instead, it adopts a melancholic tone, artistically narrating the feelings of those, like the composer himself, who were forced to leave their homeland and now celebrate Christmas far from their loved ones. The emotion of the piece is accentuated by the rain, masterfully represented by the piano, and by the audience’s participation, who, through finger snaps and the use of a rain stick, create a striking sound effect.

Herrera, who had to leave Cuba due to the communist regime, finds in this composition a way to express his longing for his native land. Although he now resides in lands of freedom, he still feels the nostalgia of his home during Christmas. «Rainy Christmas» is a musically moving piece and a powerful reflection on the meaning of Christmas for those who have been separated from their roots. This piece invites the audience to reflect on the importance of home, family, and freedom during this time of year.

Text:

Miro la lluvia golpeando a la puerta del alma
y en mi ventana se sienten las gotas caer.
por mis mejillas recorre la ausencia callada
y entre regalos y cintas recuerdo tu ser.

Siento la lluvia cayendo muy dentro de mi alma
y tal parece que no parará de llover.
Un pálido brillo en la estrella del árbol me alcanza,
quiero viajar en el tiempo y a ti volver.

Volveré a mi Tierra soñada,
volveré donde cantan las aves.
Volveré donde cantan la tonada
del río de aguas claras allá por el palmar.
Volveré.

Miro la lluvia golpeando en la puerta del alma
y en mi ventana se sienten las gotas caer.
por mis mejillas recorre la ausencia callada
y entre regalos y cintas recuerdo tu ser.

Siento la lluvia cayendo muy dentro de mi alma
y tal parece que no parará de llover.
Un pálido brillo en la estrella del árbol me alcanza,
quiero viajar en el tiempo y a ti volver.

Volveré a mi Tierra soñada,
volveré donde vuelan las aves.
Volveré a los brazos de mi madre.
Volveré, hacia allá, al lugar donde esta
mi Hogar, mi Belén,
Volveré a celebrar la Navidad.

Vuelvo al jardín donde el sol resplandece y no llueve.
Vuelvo a sentir el aroma del pasto en mi piel
y en mi Belén estaré celebrando por siempre
la Navidad, la Navidad, la Navidad.

Vuelve la lluvia a caer en la puerta de mi alma.
Cuando recuerdo cuan lejos estoy de volver.
La Navidad se humedece de lluvia y nostalgia,
pero quizás algún día parará de llover.

Translation:

I see the rain drops beating on the door of my soul
And on its windows, I feel them flowing, rolling down my cheeks.
The silent absence of gifts and ribbons
Brings back memories of you.

I feel the rain pouring deep within my soul;
It looks like it will never cease.
A pale glow from a star atop the tree reaches me
And I wish to be carried back in time to you.

I’ll return to my dreamland,
Back to where songbirds sing.
Back to where the tune of the crystalline river is sung
beside a grove of palm trees.
I will return.

I see the rain drops beating on the door of my soul
And on its windows, I feel them flowing, rolling down my cheeks.
The silent absence of gifts and ribbons
Brings back memories of you.

I feel the rain pouring deep within my soul
It looks like it will never cease
A pale glow from a star atop the tree reaches me
And I wish to be carried back in time to you.

I’ll return to you my dreamland
Back to where birds take flight
Back to my mother’s embrace
I’ll return to a place just over there, a place that is my home, my Bethlehem,
And there I will celebrate Christmas again.  

I’ll return to that Eden where the sun shimmers and there’s no rain
Where my skin bears afresh the aroma of green meadows.
And in that Bethlehem of mine, forever I’ll celebrate you
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

The rain beats once more on the door of my soul
When I realize my return to you is a distant dream.
Christmas is dampened by rain and memories of you,
But maybe one day the rain will cease too.