Lyrics (from Corridos Sin Fronteras):
Look what has happened
in the county of Carmen:
the Major Sheriff has died
and Román has been wounded.

The next morning,
when people arrived,
they said to each other:
“Nobody knows who killed him.”

They investigated
and about three hours later
they discovered that
Gregorio Cortez was the wrongdoer.

A warrant for Cortez’s arrest
was issued throughout the state:
“Bring him in dead or alive,
he is wanted for murder.”

Gregorio Cortez said,
with his pistol in his hand:
“I’m not sorry for killing him,
my concern is for my brother.”

Gregorio Cortez said,
with his soul ablaze:
“I’m not sorry for killing him,
self-defense is justifiable.”

The Americans were coming
as fast as the wind,
because they would earn
a reward of 3,000 pesos.

He fled toward González.
Several sheriffs saw him
but they didn’t want to pursue him
because they were afraid.

The hound dogs were coming,
following his trail,
but catching Cortez
was like reaching for a star.

Gregorio Cortez said:
“Why do you even try?
You can’t even catch me,
with those hound dogs.”

The Americans said:
“What shall we do if we find him?
In an open confrontation
only a few of us will make it back.”

By the corral of the ranch
they surrounded him.
There were more than 300 men,
but he jumped through their ring.

Around El Encinal,
according to what they say,
they had a shoot out
and he killed another sheriff.

Gregorio Cortez said,
with his pistol in his hand:
“Don’t run you cowardly Rangers,
from one lone Mexican.”

He turned toward
Laredo without any fear:
“Follow me, you cowardly Rangers,
I am Gregorio Cortez.”

Gregorio says to Juan,
at the ranch of the cypress:
“Tell me, what’s new?
I am Gregorio Cortez.”

Gregorio says to Juan:
“You will soon find out.
Go and call the sheriffs,
tell them to come and arrest me.”

When the sheriffs arrived
Gregorio turned himself in.
“You can take me only on my terms,
no other way.”

They caught Cortez
and the case is closed.
His poor family
is always in his heart.

I now take my leave,
by the shade of a cypress tree.
Here I end singing
the tragedy of Cortez.

This corrido, which is a traditional Mexican form of music that is used to tell a story, and has a general format to follow. Sung ballad-style, a corrido focuses on the lower classes, rural in nature, and are very specific about aspects such as names, places, and journeys. Corridos are often about revolutionary subjects, with a clear protagonist whose story often ends in tragedy. Musical rhythms are generally polka-inspired and contain accordions and acoustic guitars as main instruments.

This specific corrido, Gregorio Cortez performed by Ramon Ayala, is named after and tells the story of a famous Mexican outlaw in early 20th century Texas. Although the corrido is inspired by true events that occurred in 1901, it is difficult to know how such events played out in real life, because like any folk hero, Gregorio Cortez’s story will have been exaggerated to some extent. Although, it is known that Gregorio Cortez was adept at evading the Texas Rangers in their pursuit of him following murder charges. The telling of the story in this song performed by Ramon Ayala in norteño style first tells us of the murder of the sheriff and the mystery surrounding it. Once it is found that farm worker Gregorio Cortez is the culprit, famous bold words are spoken by Cortez. The story then goes on to tell of the epic pursuit which grew Cortez’s legend among Mexicans and Anglo-Texans. It finally ends in the capture of Cortez by the authorities.