Los Cuatro Centenarios

Duelo's song 'Los Cuatro Centenarios' tells a gripping story of desperation, loss, and a vow for redemption. The narrative centers around Matias Corona, a man who, after a year of hard labor and bitter experiences, finds himself in a high-stakes poker game. The song opens with Matias instructing his son to guard a bag, hinting at the importance of its contents. This sets the stage for the unfolding drama inside the cantina.

Matias quickly loses seven million pesos, the fruits of his family's labor, in the poker game. Desperate and with nothing left to lose, he wagers four gold coins, known as 'centenarios,' in a final, desperate bid. His son, silently crying beside him, underscores the emotional weight of the situation. The tension escalates when the Guerrero brothers, who are also playing, mockingly refuse Matias's offer, leading to a violent confrontation. Matias, in a fit of desperation, draws a gun and fires, resulting in the deaths of the three brothers.

The song concludes with Matias and his son fleeing the scene. Matias swears never to gamble again, and his son, having witnessed the violence and its consequences, vows never to kill again. This poignant ending highlights the heavy toll of desperation and the hope for a better future. The song's narrative, rich with cultural references and emotional depth, paints a vivid picture of the struggles and moral dilemmas faced by those living on the edge.