El Corrido de Mariano Reséndez

"...as has been noted, smuggling [has] long been part of the border way of life. Still sung today is "EI Corrido de Mariano Resendéz," about a prominent smuggler of textiles into Mexico, circa 1900. So highly respected were Resendéz and his activities that he was known as 'EI Contrabandista.'"

-Américo Paredes

"Mariano Reséndez"

(Traditional ballad sung by Los Alegres de Terán duet)
Audio Courtesy of Arhoolie Frontera Collection

The year nineteen hundred
left us quite vivid memories:
Mariano Reséndez died;
aprehended by Nieves Hernández

At his ranch, which was El Charco,
on an unfortunate Tuesday,
the man could not save himself
as he woke up surrounded.

They went to knock down the door
when his brother arrived;
anxiously they asked him,
"Where can Don Mariano be found?"

Don José María Reséndez,
his reply was truthful:
"Sirs, I do not know anything;
I am coming from Santa Elena."

The wagon in which Mariano rode
was surrounded by picked men;
Mariano Reséndez said,
"I have not lost hope."

As they were scared of him
that he might be given some office,
they killed him while between
Agualeguas and Cerralvo.

Police of Guerrero,
I carry you all on a list;
you will no longer die from fright;
"The Smuggler" is already dead.

State of Tamaulipas,
municipality of Méndez,
because of the fault of contraband
did Mariano Reséndez die.

"Mariano Reséndez"

(Corrido tradicional cantado por el dueto Los Alegres de Terán)

Año de mil novecientos
dejó recuerdos muy grandes:
murió Mariano Reséndez
lo aprehendió Nieves Hernández.

En su rancho, que era El Charco,
día martes desdichado,
no pudo el hombre salvarse
porque amaneció sitiado.

Le iban a quebrar la puerta
cuando llegaba su hermano;
con ansia le preguntaban:
"¿Dónde se halla don Mariano?"

Don José María Reséndez,
su contestación fue buena:
"Señores, yo no sé nada;
yo vengo de Santa Elena."

El carro en que iba Mariano
iba rodeado de lanzas;
decía Mariano Reséndez:
"No pierdo las esparanzas."

Como le tuvieron miedo
que recibiera algún cargo,
lo mataron intermedio
de Agualeguas y Cerralvo.

Empleaditos de Guerrero,
a todos los llevo en lista;
ya no morirán de susto,
ya murió "El Contrabandista".

Estado de Tamaulipas,
el municipio de Méndez,
por culpa del contrabando
murió Mariano Reséndez.

 

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