Corrido de Toral


The Corrido de Toral tells the story of José de León Toral was a zealous Catholic, who assassinated Álvaro Obregón after he was re-elected president in 1928. He was found guilty of collaborating with a Catholic nun, Concepción Acevedo de la Llata. "La madre Conchita," as she was known, who was imprisoned under the maximum sentence possible. Toral was executed in Mexico City in 1929 for his crime. Part One of this corrido introduces the protagonist, and then narrates the assassination itself. Part Two shows the consequences in the judicial system of Toral's actions, and also of the involvement of his collaborator, la madre Conchita. In the corrido José Toral is presented as a noble martyr who is willing to exhange his own life in order to take the life of the godless Obregón. "él sólo fue mártir de su religión, / cambiando su vida, cambiando su vida, / por la de Obregón." Toral accepts his fate calmly, believing that his actions were justified. In true heroic style he faces his death with dignity. La madre Conchita is also presented as a pious woman, and as a true martyr, she is willing to be imprisoned for the sake of her religion. Not only does she feel no remorse for the death of Obregón, she prays that God forgive the officials who have sentenced her. "hoy sola en su celda, en cada oración / al cielo le pide, al cielo le pide, / para ellos perdón."
The lyrical composition is more complex than most corridos with stanzas of five verses alternating with stanzas of three. The verses are eleven to twelve syllables, with the exception of the fifth verse in the long stanzas, which is a "pie quebrado" of six syllables. This corrido has the elements of discourse, which John McDowell has identified in his analyses of the genre. The first stanza has the traditional "llamada inicial," which McDowell describes as a meta-narrative or reflexive element, in the sense that the corridista calls attention to the fact that this is a corrido. The remaining stanzas provide "snapshots" of the story, which move the narrative forward in an iconic manner without too much detail. Part II of the corrido also contains some dialogue as la madre Conchita addresses her prayers to the heavens. Toral comforts his grieving wife before he is executed. The propositionality of this corrido shows that the corridista also believes that the actions of Toral and of la madre Conchita are justified. As we have seen, these two characters are shown as pious, dignified, and heroic. On the other hand, the corrido does not show any sympathy for the victim of the assasination. He is presented as "el manco Obregón," a reference to the fact that he had lost an arm during the Revolution. The corrido does not end with the typical "despedida" by the corridista. The protagonist does, however, bid farewell to his wife and then shouts "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" at the moment of his execution. Performed by the Travodores Tapatíos (Chicago, 2/21/1929), Folklyric/Arhoolie Records, The Mexican Revolution, Disc IV (CD 7044) Post-Revolutionary Corridos and Narratives.



Parte I Este es el corrido de José Toral Que murió juzgado por un tribunal; Él sólo fue mártir de su religión, Cambiando su vida, cambiando su vida, Por la de Obregón. Ya estaba cansado de verse burlado Y en la tarde aquella, de valor armado, Con mano certera cumplió su misión. Anduvo buscando la oportunidad Y día por día corría a la ciudad; La suerte fue suya y fue tan sencilla, Hallando a Obregón, hallando a Obregón, Allá en La Bombilla. Fueron seis disparos, con tal precisión, Que rodó por tierra el manco Obregón Y Toral vengado se fue a la prisión Los obregonistas quisieron lincharlo Pero los soldados lograron salvarlo; Él ya muy tranquilo todo soportó, Desde aquella tarde, desde aquella tarde, Que al manco mató. Sus jueces quisieron sacarle verdad Y crueles tormentos sufrió sin piedad; Jamás una queja su pecho exhaló. (Bis.) Parte II La madre Conchita también fue culpada Y a máxima pena quedó condenada; Hoy sola en su celda, en cada oración Al cielo le pide, al cielo le pide, Para ellos perdón. -Si no les perdonas, Señor, lo que han hecho, - Solloza, poniendo la mano en su pecho, -Yo sí les perdono con el corazón. - Y cuando la esposa y su tierno hijo Fueron a la cárcel por última vez, Toral ya con calma, sonriendo, les dijo: -Junto a nuestro padre, Junto a nuestro padre, Los veré después.- La esposa querida, la mujer amada, Con el hijo en brazos, cayó arrodillada, Por su amante esposo pedía compasión. Después que el jurado lo había condenado Solícito indulto se fue negado, Pero del gobierno, con satisfacción, Consiguió la gracia, consiguió la gracia, De la confesión. Después de la triste y fatal despedida Él fue fusilado conforme a la ley Y murió gritando: -¡Viva Cristo Rey! - (Bis.)	Part One This is the corrido of José Toral Who died, convicted in court. He was only a martyr for his faith, Trading his life, trading his life, For that of Obregón. He was tired of being abused, And that afternoon, armed with courage, With a sure hand he fulfilled his mission. He looked for the opportunity, Going through the city everyday, Luck was on his side, it was so easy, Finding Obregón, finding Obregón, At the restaurant La Bombilla. There were six shots fired with precision; The one-armed Obregón fell to the ground, And Toral went to prison avenged. Obregón's people wanted to lynch him, But the soldiers were able to save him; He then very calmly faced everything Since that afternoon, since that afternoon, When he killed the one-armed man. His judges wanted him to confess the truth And he was tortured cruelly and without pity, Yet he never expressed a single lament. Part Two Mother Conchita was also found guilty And given the maximum sentence. Now, alone in her cell, with every prayer She asks the heavens, she asks the heavens, To forgive them all. "If, Lord, you don't forgive what they have done," She sobs with her hand on her bosom, "I myself will forgive them in my heart." When his wife and small son Went to the jail the last time Toral, now at peace and smiling, told them: "Together with our Lord, together with our Lord, Is when I will see you next." The beloved wife, the cherished woman, With her child in arms, fell to her knees Asking compassion for her beloved husband. After the jury had condemned him, The requested pardon was denied. But the government consented Showed him mercy, showed him mercy, By allowing him to have confession. After that sad and fateful farewell He was executed according to the law. He died shouting out: "Long live Christ the King!"