Lyrics
In the town of Reynosa, there's a beautiful river
In Reynosa, there's a picturesque river shining under the Mexican sun.
That shines in the Mexico sun.
Describing the river's beauty.
There are boats and they cross from one side to the other,
Boats ferrying across the river, particularly at dusk.
At dusk when the hot day is done.
Referencing the end of a hot day when these crossings occur.
From there to Acuña to Del Rio, Texas,
Places mentioned en route from Reynosa to Del Rio, Texas.
You valley up through San Antone.
The journey's path through San Antone (San Antonio).
With the pesos I've saved up for years then I'll trade
Expressing a desire to trade pesos for dollars to send back home.
For the chance to send dollars back home.
Monetary exchange plans.
Coyote, coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Questioning and condemning the actions of a 'coyote' (a human smuggler).
Coyote, man what have you done?
Repeating the question, emphasizing the gravity of the coyote's actions.
You took all our money and left us to die
Accusing the coyote of taking money and abandoning individuals to suffer.
In the heat of the South Texas sun.
Describing the dire circumstances left by the coyote in the scorching South Texas heat.
Coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Reiteration of questioning the coyote's actions.
He steps out of the shadows, he won't look in my eyes
Depicting the coyote avoiding eye contact, indicating guilt or shame.
His hand's out to take all I've got.
The coyote demanding possessions from the narrator.
He says that he's smuggled a thousand good men
Claiming to have successfully smuggled many people without getting caught.
And he says that he's never been caught.
Boasting about escaping legal consequences.
So with seventeen other, braceros like cattle
Being transported with others, possibly migrant workers, likened to cattle.
Packed in for that long final ride.
Describing the conditions inside a truck during the border crossing.
In the semi-truck crossing the border it's dark,
Portraying the darkness and intense heat within the truck.
And it's hot as an oven inside.
Blank line, no explicit content.
Coyote, coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Repeating the condemnation of the coyote's actions.
Coyote, man what have you done?
Emphasizing the gravity of the coyote's deeds.
You took all our money and left us to die
Detailing the dire consequences faced due to the coyote's actions.
In the heat of the South Texas sun.
Reiteration of the situation's severity.
Coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Repetition of questioning the coyote's actions.
The braceros are asking in whispers,
Depicting the victims' inquiries amidst a challenging situation.
Why the truck stopped in the heat of the day?
Questioning why the truck has stopped during extreme heat.
At first sign of trouble, he's left us all there
Highlighting the coyote's abandonment of the victims when trouble arises.
By the road and he's walking away.
Describing the coyote walking away from the stranded individuals.
Coyote, coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Reiteration of questioning the coyote's actions.
Coyote, man what have you done?
Emphasizing the condemnation of the coyote's deeds.
You took all our money and left us to die
Reiterating the dire consequences due to the coyote's actions.
In the heat of the South Texas sun.
Detailing the severe situation caused by the coyote's abandonment.
Coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Repetition of questioning the coyote's actions.
Coyote, qué hiciste cabron?
Final repetition of condemning the coyote's actions.
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