In March 1996, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and other veteran Cuban musicians recorded a new version of the song as part of the Buena Vista Social Club project.

The song was written in 1984 by Compay Segundo,[3] who first "dreamt" the opening melody in his sleep and later wrote the lyrics.

'[5] The most recognizable part of the song is its chorus, whose lyrics are as follows: De Alto Cedro voy para Marcané Llego a Cueto voy para Mayarí From Alto Cedro I go to Marcané I get to Cueto, then head for Mayarí The four mentioned locations (Alto Cedro, Marcané, Cueto and Mayarí) are towns near each other in the Holguín Province on the east side of Cuba.

It is a common practice in son cubano to mention Cuban toponyms, as in the 1952 standard "Alto Songo".

[8] The songs were recorded in 1989 at the EGREM studios (Siboney), Santiago de Cuba, for the album Chanchaneando, who was released on CD years later.

[11] In March 1996, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and other veteran Cuban musicians recorded a new version of the song as part of the Buena Vista Social Club project.