6.15: El corrido mexicano
- Page ID
- 339987
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Step 1
Read this summary of the history of the Mexican corrido, and its subgenre, the narcocorrido.
(Alterna2)
The corrido is a musical genre in Mexico that tells the true story of a real and/or mythical figure. These epic compositions narrate important moments to pay homage and show respect to a person or a people.
The corrido originated in the early 19th century during the War of Independence and gained immense popularity during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) because it recounted the adventures of revolutionaries and their leaders. Corridos remain popular today. They continue to tell the heartfelt stories of community members and their most pressing issues, such as immigration. Instead of focusing on revolutionary leaders, they now tell the stories of unsung heroes who die trying to cross the border into the United States. Another popular theme in contemporary corridos is drug trafficking; these corridos are called “narcocorridos.”
Narcocorridos are heavily influenced by norteño music, incorporating the accordion rhythm and drawing inspiration from the waltz and polka. Traditionally, they were music of rural areas, but recently corridos have become popular in Mexican and American cities. According to Elijah Wald, author of the book Narcocorrido (2002), in the 1990s more than two-thirds of the Latin music records sold in the United States were by Mexican narcocorrido artists. Thus, in the U.S., Los Angeles became the epicenter of the genre.
After the death of narcocorrido singer “Chalino” Sánchez in 1992, some people began to criticize the music because it glorified violent and illegal activity. In fact, in 2002, during Vicente Fox's presidency, corridos were banned on some local radio stations, especially in the north and central parts of the country, as a measure to help eradicate the growing violence in these regions. However, narcocorridos remain popular today and have a devoted following.
Fuente: BBC News
Step 2
Now listen to the narcocorrido “Contrabando y Traición” by Los Tigres del Norte , one of the most well-known groups in this musical style. As you listen, follow along with the lyrics to better understand the words and the message. We will discuss the song in class.
Contrabando y Traición
Salieron de San Isidro procedentes de Tijuana
Traían las llantas del carro repletas de hierba mala
Eran Emilio Barela y Camelia la Tejana
Pasaron por San Clemente, los paró la inmigración
Les pidió sus documentos, les dijo ¿de dónde son?
Ella era de San Antonio, una hembra de corazón
Una hembra si quiere a un hombre por él puede dar la vida
Pero hay que tener cuidado si esa hembra se siente herida
La traición y el contrabando son cosas incompartidas
A Los Ángeles llegaron, a Hollywood se pasaron
En un callejón oscuro las 4 llantas cambiaron
Allí entregaron la hierba y ahí también les pagaron
Emilio dice a Camelia hoy te das por despedida
Con la parte que te toca tú puedes rehacer tu vida
Yo me voy pa’ San Francisco con la dueña de mi vida
Sonaron siete balazos Camelia a Emilio mataba
La policía sólo halló una pistola tirada
Del dinero y de Camelia… nunca más se supo nada.
Fuente: arlindo-correia.com
In English: Smuggling and Treason
They left San Ysidro, coming from Tijuana.
They were bringing tires full of weed.
They were Emilio Barela and Camelia la Tejana.
Passing through San Clemente, immigration stopped them.
He asked for their documents, he asked them where they were from.
She was from San Antonio, a woman at heart.
A woman who loves a man can give her life for him.
But one must be careful if that woman feels hurt.
Betrayal and smuggling are things that cannot be shared.
They arrived in Los Angeles, they went to Hollywood.
In a dark alley they changed all four tires.
There they delivered the weed and there they got paid.
Emilio tells Camelia, "Today you're done.
With your share, you can rebuild your life.
I'm going to San Francisco with the love of my life."
Seven shots rang out when Camelia killed Emilio.
The police only found a gun lying on the ground.
Of the money and of Camelia... nothing more was ever heard.
Otras actividades
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Analyze the lyrics of “Contrabando y Traición”: Where does the action take place? What are the main themes? (violence, love, migration, betrayal, money, etc.); Why do you think narcocorridos are popular? Do you think this music is problematic? Should narcocorridos be censored? Are there similar themes or styles in the U.S.?
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BBC Mundo invited readers to write a unique corrido, with lyrics against drug trafficking , and some can be heard here in the article “Write a Corrido Against Drug Trafficking .” Listen to other corridos, and then write (in groups) the lyrics to your own anti-drug corrido (or another type of corrido).
Almanaque creado por Megan Thornton.