Miguel Aceves Mejía, or "the King of the falsetto" as he was popularly known, was born in Ciudad Juárez in the state of Chihuahua. He became a popular Mexican film star during its golden age and was widely regarded for his interpretations of various Mexican musical folkloric genres, particularly the ranchera.
Originally part of a traveling theater company, Aceves Mejía began recording for the first time in 1938 with the trio Los Porteños. At the beginning of his career he interpreted mainly boleros, tangos, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. During his career he recorded more than 1000 songs on 90 discs and starred in over 60 films.
Among his greatest hits are La Barca de Guaymas, El Pastor, La del Rebozo Blanco, Se Me Hizo Fácil, Yo Tenía un Chorro de Voz, Vaya con Dios, La Malagueña Salerosa, El Jinete, El Crucifijo de Piedra and Cuatro Caminos. He was noted for composing such songs as El Pescado Nadador and O, Gran Dios, even though his forté was primarily as a singer in his own right.
In 1945 he began dedicating himself solely to singing and, following the deaths of Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, ventured into the world of cinema.
In 1959 he appeared in Amor se dice cantando.
He died just a few days short of his 91st birthday on November 6, 2006 in Mexico City. As is tradition in Mexico, his body lay in state in the Palacio de las Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) in Mexico City. This honour is reserved for only the greatest Mexican singers, writers, composers, sculptors and painters.
Corrido de Pancho Villa
Miguel Aceves Mejía Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y tengo estilo
El caracter lo mostre desde chiquillo
No estoy solo
y el apoyo yo e tenido
Es herencia de mi padre y de mis tios
Soy amigo de todo aquel que responde
Y enemigo de todo aquel que se esconde
La palabra y el valor es importante
Los motivos para ser un hombre grande
Soy conciente que no voy a ser eterno
Pero voy a palabrarme en el infierno
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Pero juro que inocentes no e matado
Soy conciente del precio que pagaremos
En la carcel, el panteon
Alla nos vemos
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Pero juro...
Que inocentes no e matado
(MUSICA)
Esta vida me toco y no me arrepiento
Soy tranquilo pero tambien soy violento
Las mujeres para mi son mi delirio
Si prometo siempre cumplo lo que digo
En la escuela de la vida me e formado
Lo que tengo yo a pulso me lo e ganado
Reconosco el apollo de mi familia
Y disfruto del momento dia con dia
Soy conciente que no voy a ser eterno
Pero voy a palabrarme en el infierno
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Pero juro que inocentes no e matado
Soy conciente del precio que pagaremos
En la carcel o el panteon
Alla nos vemos
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Pero juro...
Que inocentes no e matado...
The song Corrido de Pancho Villa by Miguel Aceves Mejía is a powerful and reflective ballad about the life of a man who is both proud of his accomplishments and aware of the consequences of his actions. The first verse starts with the man dressing elegantly, showing off his style and stating that his character was molded from a young age. He acknowledges that he is not alone in his endeavors and that he has the support of his father and uncles, which is an inheritance he cherishes.
The second verse speaks of the man's values - that he is a friend to those who reply to his calls, but an enemy to those who hide. He believes that courage and honesty are important traits for a man to possess and that these qualities are the driving force behind his desire to become great. He knows that he will not live forever but is determined to conquer the depths of Hell. He believes he deserves neither Heaven nor Hell because he has not killed any innocents.
The final verse reveals that the man has no regrets about the life he has lived. He is pleased with his accomplishments and is aware of his capacity for violence, while also acknowledging his weaknesses. Women and his family have been important sources of happiness and support for him, and he has always kept his promise. He knows that he will eventually face dire consequences for his deeds, whether in jail or in death, but it does not deter him. He concludes the song by reiterating that he has not killed any innocents.
Line by Line Meaning
Me visto muy elegante
I dress very elegantly
Y tengo estilo
And I have style
El caracter lo mostre desde chiquillo
I showed my character since I was a child
No estoy solo y el apoyo yo e tenido
I am not alone and I have had support
Es herencia de mi padre y de mis tios
It is inheritance from my father and uncles
Soy amigo de todo aquel que responde
I am a friend of anyone who answers
Y enemigo de todo aquel que se esconde
And enemy of anyone who hides
La palabra y el valor es importante
The word and value are important
Los motivos para ser un hombre grande
The reasons to be a great man
Soy conciente que no voy a ser eterno
I am aware that I will not be eternal
Pero voy a palabrarme en el infierno
But I will keep my word even in hell
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Since surely heaven has not won me over
Pero juro que inocentes no e matado
But I swear I have not killed any innocents
Soy conciente del precio que pagaremos
I am aware of the price we will pay
En la carcel, el panteon
In jail or in the cemetery
Alla nos vemos
We'll meet there
Esta vida me toco y no me arrepiento
This life was given to me and I don't regret it
Soy tranquilo pero tambien soy violento
I am calm but also violent
Las mujeres para mi son mi delirio
Women are my delirium
Si prometo siempre cumplo lo que digo
If I promise something, I always fulfill it
En la escuela de la vida me e formado
I have been formed in the school of life
Lo que tengo yo a pulso me lo e ganado
What I have, I have earned it with hard work
Reconosco el apollo de mi familia
I recognize the support of my family
Y disfruto del momento dia con dia
And I enjoy the moment day by day
Soy conciente que no voy a ser eterno
I am aware that I will not be eternal
Pero voy a palabrarme en el infierno
But I will keep my word even in hell
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Since surely heaven has not won me over
Pero juro que inocentes no e matado
But I swear I have not killed any innocents
Soy conciente del precio que pagaremos
I am aware of the price we will pay
En la carcel o el panteon
In jail or in the cemetery
Alla nos vemos
We'll meet there
Pues seguro que el cielo no me ganado
Since surely heaven has not won me over
Pero juro...
But I swear...
Que inocentes no e matado...
That I have not killed any innocents...
Writer(s): emm. Cortazar, Juan S. Garrido
Contributed by Kaitlyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.