Via Wikimedia Commons
Rafael Hernández Marín
1892–1965
Composer of 'Lamento Borincano' and hundreds of songs, one of Puerto Rico's most beloved musicians
Rafael Hernández Marín (1892-1965) was Puerto Rico's most celebrated composer, whose songs became anthems of Puerto Rican identity and the Latin American diaspora. Born in Aguadilla, he composed over 3,000 songs across genres including bolero, plena, guaracha, and danza.
His most famous composition, "Lamento Borincano" (1929), tells the story of a jíbaro (rural farmer) who travels to market full of hope only to find no buyers for his goods. The song became an unofficial anthem of Puerto Rican suffering under colonialism and economic exploitation. It remains one of the most recognized songs in Latin American music.
Other iconic works include "Preciosa" (1937), a love letter to Puerto Rico that became a de facto national anthem, and "El Cumbanchero" (1943). Hernández served in the U.S. Army during World War I as part of the 369th Infantry Regiment (Harlem Hellfighters), one of the most decorated units in the war. He lived in New York and Mexico City, composing music that connected diaspora Puerto Ricans to their homeland.