Allá en el rancho grande
Rex Allen Lyrics

The lyrics of Rex Allen's song "Alla en el rancho grande" tell the story of a young man who visits a ranch where he meets a cheerful rancherita. She offers to make him a pair of calzones, the traditional Mexican pants worn by ranchers. She begins making them out of wool and eventually finishes them with leather. The song then goes on to caution the young man to not trust promises, particularly in matters of love, because if he does, he will soon find himself experiencing the bitter taste of disappointment. The song concludes with a description of the importance of horses to ranchers and the joy they feel from saddling them up in the early evening and taking them for a ride.

The song is full of cultural references and provides insight into the traditional life of Mexican ranchers. The calzones are a symbol of the hardworking nature of ranchers, and the advice to be careful with promises and love likely reflects the harsh realities of life on the ranch, where trustworthiness and faithfulness are essential virtues. The mention of horses speaks to the centrality of animal husbandry in the lives of ranchers and the deep connection they feel to the land and to nature.