Diez Serán

Carlos Puebla's song 'Diez Serán' is a powerful anthem that captures the determination and resilience of the Cuban people, particularly the laborers in the sugarcane fields. The repetitive and rhythmic lyrics emphasize the collective effort and unwavering commitment to achieving a set goal, which in this case is the ambitious target of producing ten million tons of sugar. The phrase 'Si dijimos diez serán diez serán' (If we said ten, it will be ten) is a mantra that underscores the resolve and integrity of the workers.

The song opens with vivid imagery of laborers wielding their machetes ('mocha') to clear the sugarcane fields, a task that is both physically demanding and symbolically significant. The act of cutting the cane and sending it to the central processing plant represents not just agricultural labor but a broader sense of national pride and collective effort. The repetition of the phrase 'La mocha en la mano la mano en la mocha' (The machete in the hand, the hand on the machete) reinforces the unity and dedication of the workers.

Puebla also addresses skeptics and naysayers ('señor agorero'), asserting that the Cuban people are honest and capable of meeting their goals. This is a direct response to doubts about the feasibility of the ten million ton target. The song serves as both a motivational anthem for the workers and a declaration of Cuban resilience and honor. The reference to 'nuestro honor campesino y obrero' (our peasant and worker honor) highlights the pride and dignity of the laboring class, who are the backbone of this national endeavor.

'Cogemos la mocha y abrimos la trocha' (We take the machete and open the path) is not just a literal description of the work but a metaphor for forging a new future through hard work and perseverance. The song encapsulates the spirit of the Cuban Revolution, where collective effort and socialist ideals are celebrated and reinforced through music. Carlos Puebla, known for his support of the Cuban Revolution and his close association with figures like Che Guevara, uses 'Diez Serán' to immortalize the labor and determination of the Cuban people in their quest for progress and self-sufficiency.