Becerro translates to "calf," as in a baby cow. While seemingly simple, its use in this song is quite unique and metaphorical.
In the lyrics, "Cuando se mama el becerro y queda blanco el ganado," it paints a vivid picture of a calf suckling until the herd is 'white' or depleted. This imagery is used to describe how false friends exploit and drain resources, much like a calf can drain its mother. It's a memorable and somewhat unexpected word choice that adds a layer of rural wisdom to the song's message about betrayal.
Have you ever been let down by someone you thought was a true friend? El As De La Sierra's "Los Falsos Amigos" [False Friends] is all about that feeling. He talks about how easy it is to have friends when things are good, saying "en mis amigos de salud es el mundo" [in my healthy friends is the world]. But when trouble hits, like when "llueve el mismo mal" [the same evil rains], that's when you find out who your real friends are.
He really hits home with the idea that "vale más tiene se levanta cuando se cae desde arriba" [it's worth more to get up when you fall from above], meaning it's better to rise up after a big fall. He even uses a funny image about a calf, saying "cuando se mama el becerro y queda blanco el ganado" [when the calf sucks and the cattle are left white] – basically, when things are good and easy, everyone's around. But when things get tough, those who said "soy tu amigo" [I'm your friend] disappear, running "como venas" [like veins]. It's a blunt but honest look at how some people only stick around for what they can get, especially when money is involved, asking "cuánto tienes cuánto baile" [how much you have, how much you dance]. It's a great song for anyone who's learned a hard lesson about friendship!