Chumbawamba - El Fusilado lyrics

Listen close to this crooked mouth For my story I will tell–o Lived in Mexico by the name of Wenseslao Moguel–o Left my home in Santiago The heart of the city of Merida Served with my brothers and sisters all For the army of Pancho Villa Stand me straight against the nearest wall Line up your bravest soldiers oh Ten good shots I'll take them all They call me El Fusilado The Federales captured me Bound up my arms with wire Officer comes he says "Take your aim – Steady your guns and fire!" Bullet holes all across my chest Ripped up my shirt and my body–o Heart beat on through the silenced guns To the rhythm of life inside me–o Stand me straight against the nearest wall Line up your bravest soldiers oh Ten good shots I'll take them all They call me El Fusilado Fell to the ground the officer came One last shot to the head­–o Heard through the pain as he walked away And left me there for dead–o All went quiet so I crawled away I wasn't giving up to the glory Ten good shots I took them all And lived to tell my story Stand me straight against the nearest wall Line up your bravest soldiers oh Ten good shots I'll take them all They call me El Fusilado. A true story. Wenseslao Moguel was captured while fighting in the Mexican revolution in 1915 and without trial sentenced to face the firing squad, 'las sentencias al paredon'. After being shot by the squad, and despite receiving the 'tiro de gracia' (shot at close range by the captain), Wenseslao somehow survived. He managed to escape and spent much of his life touring the USA with the 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' travelling museum.