Rio Bravo Theme Song - Means What?

Question

I watched the old John Wayne movie "Rio Bravo" the other day, and I really enjoyed it.... however, one of the songs on the soundtrack that was repeatedly played was a Mexican ballad type of song. It was used as the theme, and was supposedly the song the Mexicans played at the Battle of the Alamo. On Amazon, the song is simply called "Deguello, " but what does "Deguello" mean? The translators have been no help...Do any of you have any idea?

Answer 1

The RAE says:

degüello. 1. m. Acción de degollar. 2. m. En un dardo o en otra arma o instrumento semejante, parte más delgada. entrar a ~. 1. loc. verb. Mil. Asaltar una población sin dar cuartel. llevar a alguien al ~. 1. loc. verb. coloq. llevar al degolladero. pasar a ~. 1. loc. verb. Cortar el cuello a personas. tirar a ~. 1. loc. verb. coloq. Procurar con el mayor ahínco perder o perjudicar a alguien. tocar a ~. 1. loc. verb. Mil. En el arma de caballería, dar la señal de ataque.

If you've not used the RAE before, it's a great resource:

Real Academia Española

Answer 2

just a fun tid-bit--> south of the border, the river is "Rio Bravo" or, river that is easily angered; north of the border "Rio Grande" or big river...

Maybe a reflection of the psyche of the respective peoples who gave the river its different names :-) - afowen, Dec 27, 2010

Answer 3

Thank you, Afowen I guess if basically means "The Cut-Throat Song" Thanks for the link as well. I'll check it out!

Or decapitation song, pretty gruesome either way. Yeah, RAE is great, shame that there is no free access to the OED, understandable though, must cost a lot to maintain... Alex. - afowen, Dec 27, 2010