The Corrido of La Adelita: Technical Analysis of Authorship, Lyrics, and Cultural Significance

The corrido La Adelita has become one of the most representative musical symbols of the Mexican Revolution, not only as an artistic expression of its time but also as a vehicle of collective memory. Its lyrics and music are attributed to Antonio Gil del Río Armenta, who captured in verse the figure of the revolutionary woman, both in her romantic dimension and in her role within military life.

This technical article aims to analyze the corrido from three main perspectives: (i) its authorship and origin, (ii) the content and structure of its lyrics, and (iii) its value as a cultural and social piece in the revolutionary context.

Authorship: Antonio Gil del Río Armenta

According to direct sources, the authorship of La Adelita corresponds to Antonio Gil del Río Armenta, sargeant and musician from Zacatecas, who composed both the lyrics and the melody when he met and fell in love with Adela, around 1913.

The composition spread quickly among both federal and revolutionary troops, becoming a popular corrido transmitted orally. The lack of official records at the time gave rise to debates about its authorship; however, recent research on collections of revolutionary corridos and direct sources—not only from Adela’s family but also from Colonel Alfredo Villegas, Adelita’s husband, who personally knew Antonio and recounted this important cultural episode of Mexican history—support Gil del Río Armenta’s authorship.

Transcription of the Lyrics

La Adelita Lyrics and music: Antonio Gil del Río Armenta

On the heights of a rugged mountain range

a regiment had set up camp,

and a young woman bravely followed them,

madly in love with the sergeant.

Adelita was popular among the troops,

the woman the sergeant adored,

who, besides being brave, was beautiful,

and even the colonel himself respected her.

And it was heard

that he said,

the one who loved her so…

If Adelita went away with another,

I would follow her by land and by sea;

if by sea, in a warship,

if by land, in a melitar* train.

And if by chance I die in battle,

and my body is to be buried,

Adelita, for God I beg you,

that with your eyes you will weep for me.

If Adelita wished to be my wife,

if Adelita became my woman,

I would buy her a silk dress

to take her dancing at the barracks.

* The use of the word melitar is not a modern typographical error, but a feature that has accompanied the oral transmission of the corrido in the Spanish language.

Technical Analysis of the Lyrics

1. Formal Structure

The corrido follows a traditional octosyllabic meter, characteristic of Mexican popular poetry, with four-line stanzas and a repetitive refrain that reinforces the lyrical element. This simple meter allowed for quick memorization and dissemination among soldiers and civilians.

2. Main Themes

The work combines two main dimensions:

• Romantic: It focuses on the idealized love relationship between Adelita and a sergeant. The enamorment, the promise of fidelity, and the desire for marriage with a silk dress are expressions of love amidst conflict.

• Military: It is set within the military context, with references to the regiment, the campaign, death in battle, warships, and military trains, all representative elements of the Revolution.

3. Symbolism of Womanhood

Adelita is portrayed as an active female character within the troops, admired for her bravery and beauty, and respected even by military hierarchies. This symbol was projected onto the figure of the soldaderas, women who accompanied, supported, and even fought during the revolutionary movement.

4. Social Dimension

Beyond the personal anecdote, the corrido illustrates the everyday life of the revolutionary soldier: The camps, the uncertainty of death, the role of women in the rear guard, and the pursuit of dignity amid conflict. In this sense, it constitutes a document of ethnographic and cultural value.

Cultural Value and Historical Projection

The corrido of La Adelita is not only a musical piece but also a testimony of the Mexican Revolution. Its symbolic strength lies in having transformed “Adelita” into an archetype: the revolutionary woman who, in addition to representing armed struggle, embodies loyalty, sacrifice, and love in times of war.

The figure of La Adelita transcended the song to become a cultural emblem, to the extent of giving its name to social movements, institutions, and cultural projects in Mexico and abroad. The enduring presence of this composition in collective memory demonstrates the relevance of the corrido as a vehicle of national identity.