Salsa is as simple as un, dos, tres
una conga, timbali y maracas
el ritmo Cubano
un, dos, tres
baile con Benny More,
El Barbaro del ritmo
Un, dos, tres

Irony and paradox personified in passion, defiance and devotion
to the revolution as cunning mamas collect Yanqui dollars
from touristas for their beautiful daughters and where everything
is possible if you only believe in the power of ideas over arms

Jinetera eye play is alive on the streets, in the cafes and cabanas
locking into gringo eyes in the heat of night Santaria spirits spin
magic in the plaza at night fall as sun streaks golden pastel across cobblestones streams shimmering light over gray stone façades

Salsa is as simple as un, dos, tres
una conga, timbali y maracas
el ritmo Cubano
un, dos, tres
baile con Benny More,
El Barbaro del ritmo
Un, dos tres

Tengo que obedecer mi corazon, i tell myself while drowning
dysentery with Habana Club in the sardonic spirit of Hemingway
as the smiling bartender in El Floridita mixes mojitos y daiquiris
para los turistas while selling Cohibas y Montecristos on the side

We wander home to the strains of Santana's "Havana moon"
perfume of love and burning cohiba wafting in wind
as waves break over El Malecon at midnight
Che's words written in red on a weathered wall

"The true revolutionary is moved by strong feelings of love"

Patria o Muerte! Venceremos!

Salsa is as simple as un, dos, tres
una conga, timbali y maracas
el ritmo Cubano
un, dos, tres
baile con Benny More,
El Barbaro del ritmo
Un, dos tres

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