Osvaldo Farrés (; January 13, 1903 – December 22, 1985) was a Cuban songwriter and composer best known for having written the songs "", "", "", and "". Early life Farrés was born in 1903 in the small city of Quemado de Güines, Las Villas, Cuba. Career Although unable to read or write music, he became a prolific and world-renowned composer. His songs include "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás", "Acércate Más", "Tres Palabras", "Toda Una Vida" and his own favorite "Madrecita" written in honor of his mother and sung to this day in Latin America on Mother's Day. His songs have been performed and recorded by stars such as Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Eydie Gorme, Pedro Vargas, Raquel Bitton, Charles Aznavour, Luis Miguel, Maurice Chevalier, Sara Montiel, Olga Guillot, John Serry Sr., Cake and many others. Charlie Haden included Tres Palabras on his Grammy-winning 2001 album Nocturne. Personal life In 1962, Farrés and his wife, Fina del Peso Farrés, left Cuba. They never returned. He died in West New York, New Jersey, in 1985. References External links Osvaldo Farrés on imdb.com Osvaldo Farrés on worldcat.org Osvaldo Farrés - sound recordings of his boleros on archive.org 1903 births 1985 deaths People from Quemado de Güines Cuban composers Male composers Cuban songwriters Male songwriters 20th-century male musicians Cuban male musicians