Bracero Lyrics

Wade into the river, through the rippling shallow watter
Steal across the thirsty border, bracero
Come bring your hungry bodies to the golden fields of plenty
From a peso to a penny, braceroOh, welcome to California
Where the friendly farmer will take care of youCome labor for your mother, for your father and your brother
For your sisters and your lover, bracero
Come pick the fruit of yellow, break the flower from the berry
Purple grapes will fill your belly, braceroOh, welcome to California
Where the friendly farmer will take care of youAnd the sun will bite your body, as the dust will draw 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, braceroOh, welcome to California
Where the friendly farmer will take care of youWhen 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 dollar
And forget your crooked collar, braceroOh, welcome to California
Where the friendly farmer will take care of youAnd the local men are lazy, and they make too much of trouble
Besides we'd have to pay the double, bracero

But if you feel you're fallin', if you find the pace is killing
There are others who are willing, braceroOh, welcome to California
Where the friendly farmer will take care of you