Los Dos Amigos

The song 'Los Dos Amigos' by Los Cadetes de Linares is a narrative corrido, a traditional Mexican music genre that often tells a story, frequently about the lives and exploits of famous bandits, heroes, or historical events. The lyrics recount the tale of two friends from Mapimí who, rather than returning home empty-handed ('de oquis'), decide to rob the town of Guanaceví. The song paints a vivid picture of the duo's daring heist, complete with the tools of their trade and their fearless attitude towards the crime they are about to commit.

The two characters, Martín and José, are depicted as seasoned bandits, unfazed by the risks involved in their criminal activities. The lyrics describe their preparation, including the horses they ride and the equipment they carry to tamper with the railway tracks. The exchange between Martín and José showcases their bravado, with José asserting his experience in robbing trains and steam engines, indicating that this is not their first rodeo. The color yellow is mentioned, symbolizing cowardice, but José dismisses any suggestion of fear, claiming the color as his own in a defiant embrace of his outlaw identity.

The song concludes with a twist of fate for José, who is captured but then mysteriously escapes, possibly due to his mother's prayers or his own good luck. This element of divine intervention or fortune is common in corridos, where the protagonists often have a larger-than-life quality. Los Cadetes de Linares, known for their norteño style, which typically features accordion and bajo sexto, deliver the story with the genre's characteristic rhythm and narrative flair, making 'Los Dos Amigos' a compelling musical tale of rebellion and camaraderie on the wrong side of the law.