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The Corrido

Narrative and Song Forms

A Mexican narrative ballad form sung in rhymed quatrains, descended from the Spanish romance, recounting real or legendary events of love, injustice, banditry, revolution and migration; a living popular form that remains a vehicle for Mexican and Mexican-American storytelling and social commentary today.

Facts
Place of Origin
Mexico, 19th century, descended from the Spanish romance ballad tradition. 1
Structure
Rhymed octosyllabic quatrains sung to a simple, repeating melody, typically opening with a formal address to the listener and closing with the singer's own farewell (despedida). 1
Notable Example
Corridos of the Mexican Revolution, including "La Cucaracha" and the many corridos commemorating Pancho Villa. 1
Connections

Form Of Genre

Lyric Poetry, Genres
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Influenced By

The Ballad, Forms
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.View the Source

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