Phil Ochs
The Bracero programme ran from 1942 until 1964 and saw over four million contracts being issued allowing for Mexican migrant workers to work on North American farmlands, more often than not at wages and working conditions that local workers would deem unacceptable. In early 1942, in fear of a World War Two inspired labour shortfall, the State of California requested Government support by the way of temporary seasonal contracts for Mexican farm workers.
Phil Ochs: Bracero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U442h3Xj2qo
Wade into the river, through the rippling shadow waters Steal across the thirsty border, bracero Come bring your hungry body to the golden fields of plenty From a peso to a penny, bracero Chorus: Welcome to California Where the friendly farmers will take care of you Come labor for your mother, for your father and your brother For your sisters and your lover, bracero Come pick the fruits of yellow, break the flowers from the berries Purple grapes will fill your bellies, bracero And the sun will bite your body, as the dust will dry you thirsty While your muscles beg for mercy, bracero In the shade of your sombrero, drop your sweat upon the soil Like the fruit your youth can spoil, bracero When the weary night embraces, sleep in shacks that could be cages They will take it from your wages, bracero Come sing about tomorrow with a jingle of the dollars And forget your crooked collar, bracero And the local men are lazy, and they make too much of trouble Besides we’d have to pay them double, bracero Ah, but if you feel you’re falling, if you find the pace is killing There are others who are willing, bracero