Noel Estrada

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

Noel Estrada

1 Early years
2 Musical compositions
3 "En Mi Viejo San Juan"
4 Later years
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Early years

Estrada received his primary education in his hometown. 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".

[edit] 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 with "En mi Viejo San Juan" (In my old San Juan) that Estrada would become famous and gain international acclaim.

[edit] "En Mi Viejo San Juan"

Album Cover of "En mi Viejo San Juan"

"En mi Viejo San Juan" is considered a second national anthem by many Puerto Ricans, especially the Puerto Ricans that live far away from Puerto Rico, which is basically half of their total population. 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 including, 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 junto 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 for a foreign nation, that's how destiny would have it But my heart remained at the seas, in my Old San Juan.
Adiós... adiós, adiós Borinquen querida Tierra de mi amor Adiós... adiós, adiós Mi diosa del mar... Mi reína 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 what I want To dream once again In my Old San Juan.
Pero el tiempo pasó Y el destino burló Mi terrible nostálgia. Y no pude volver Al San Juan que yo amé Pedazito de pátria. 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 me by, and destiny fooled my terrible nostalgia. And I could not return to the San Juan that I loved little piece of my land. My hair turned white, my life has left, death is calling me. I do not want to die far away from you, Puerto Rico of my soul!

* Borinquen - another term for Puerto Rico, which originated in the indigenous language of the island
You may listen to "En mi viejo San Juan" by Noel Estrada: Here

[edit] 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.