Pobre Tom

Chava Flores' song "Pobre Tom" is a humorous yet poignant narrative about a hapless cowboy named Tom, whose life is a series of unfortunate events and poor decisions. The song opens with a vivid description of Tom, a short and chubby cowboy, who lives near the Colorado River close to the Grand Canyon. From the outset, Tom is portrayed as a figure of ridicule, much like the dog of Aunt Cleta who was hit with a bucket the first time it barked. This sets the tone for Tom's continuous misadventures.

Tom's first major blunder is buying a blind and heavy horse, believing it to be a fast runner for races. Despite his stubbornness, the horse never even starts the race, symbolizing Tom's misguided optimism and lack of judgment. This is followed by a failed attempt to rob a stagecoach, where he falls off his horse and ends up in jail. His escape from the sheriffs leads him to a ranch where he marries the boss's granddaughter, only to be killed by her in a domestic dispute. His burial in the Grand Canyon, which subsequently explodes, underscores the extreme misfortune that follows him even in death.

The song concludes with a surreal twist, depicting Tom as an angel who is kicked out of heaven for being short and chubby, and not even hell can accommodate him due to his unique horns. This final image reinforces the theme of Tom's perpetual bad luck and the absurdity of his existence. Chava Flores uses humor and exaggeration to highlight the character's flaws and the relentless nature of his misfortunes, making "Pobre Tom" a memorable and entertaining tale of woe.