RAFAEL ALERS Y SU ORQUESTA La Borinqueña was set to the Ramirez/Astol Artés music. When the Spanish authorities investigated, Ramirez, out of fear, asked Astol to claim authorship of the music, since Astol was a native of Catalonia and would therefore not raise any suspicion. With the original lyrics deemed too subversive for official adoption, a non-confrontational set of lyrics was written in 1903 by Asturias-born Manuel Fernández Juncos and taught in the public schools. The tune was officially adopted as the ...From:ramoburgViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:27More inMusic