- El Degüello
El Degüello is a
bugle call of Moorish origin notable in its use by theMexican Army during the 1836Battle of the Alamo . According toJames A. Michener 's book "Texas", the original meaning of the "Degüello" call was an appeal to an enemy to surrender or else they would die by the sword. GeneralAntonio López de Santa Anna of the Mexican Army used it to signify thatno quarter would be given to the enemy.According to various English-Spanish dictionaries, "El Degüello" means "no mercy". The literal translation is "slit-throat". Michener's book translates it as "The Beheading".
Conflicting versions
In various films, the sound of "El Degüello" varies; sometimes quite markedly.
* It is depicted as a non-lyrical song — not a bugle call — in the John Wayne films "The Alamo" (1960) and "Rio Bravo" (1959), and in "The Alamo" (2004). In the first two films mentioned, the same music is used. In the latter, it is in the form of a military
dirge .* It is depicted as a bugle call in the made-for-television movie "" (1987), in Walt Disney's movie "
Davy Crocket at the Alamo " (1955) and in "Viva Max! " (1969).Musical Compositions
* KR Wood's Fathers of Texas "Deguello" explains the buggle call and what it meant at the Alamo through song and narrationvisit www.texannarecords.com to learn more about this CD and other Texas history music
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