En Mi Viejo San Juan (In my Old San Juan) is what you may be singing when you depart if you had the chance to really immerse yourself in the beauty and the warm culture that makes San Juan such a special place.
En Mi Viejo San Juan is a composition by Puerto Rican singer Noel Estrada. Along with La Borinquena, the official Puerto Rico anthem, En Mi Viejo San Juan is one of the most beloved songs. The lyrics were inspired by the nostalgic feelings of Estrada’s brother when deployed to Panama during World War II. Noel Estrada composed the song in 1942 and since its release, it was loved immediately by all Puerto Ricans, especially those that have emigrated from the island. En Mi Viejo San Juan perfectly encapsulates the feelings of a Puerto Rican who has to leave the island and painfully longs to return. This song has been interpreted in many other languages and over 1,000 recordings have been made by famous artists and island lovers.
See the lyrics below, turn up the volume, and enjoy this beloved song.
History... En Mi Viejo San Juan
Lyrics & Original Recording - El Mi Viejo San Juan
By Noel EstradaEn 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.
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.
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.
Adiós.. adiós, adiós…
