Eran Cuatro De A Caballo

The song "Eran Cuatro De A Caballo" by Los Cadetes de Linares is a narrative ballad that tells the story of four horsemen from the region of Mapimí, a remote area in Durango, Mexico. The lyrics describe the criminal acts and the notorious reputation of these men, each with his own particular brand of infamy. The song is a classic example of the 'corrido', a popular narrative song form in Mexican music that often recounts the exploits of heroic figures, anti-heroes, or outlaws.

Each verse introduces one of the four horsemen and their heinous deeds. Pancho is known for killing a priest during prayer, Mariano for burning towns and derailing trains, Guillermo for abducting maidens under false promises of love, and Felipe for dreaming of stealing from the cathedral. The song paints a vivid picture of their lawlessness and the fear they instilled in the hearts of the people. However, the final stanza hints at a possible divine forgiveness for their sins, as it mentions their death and the hope that God has pardoned them.

The cultural significance of this song lies in its reflection of the outlaw culture in Mexican history and folklore. It explores themes of crime, punishment, and redemption, while also highlighting the rough landscape of the Mexican frontier that often served as a backdrop for such tales. The corrido serves as a means to immortalize the stories of these individuals, whether they are seen as villains or folk heroes, and to examine the complex moral landscape where such figures operate.