Phil Ochs - Bracero

capo 2nd fret

intro : Em

Em D
wade into the river , through the rippling shallow watter
C B7
steal across the thirsty border , bracero
Em D
come bring your hungry bodies to the golden fields of plenty
C B7
from a peso to a penny , bracero
C D G Em
oh , welcome to california
Am D Em
where the friendly farmer will take care of you

come labor for your mother , your father and your brother
for your sister and your lover , bracero
come pick the fruit of yellow , break the flower from the berry
purple grapes will fill your belly , bracero
oh , welcome to california
where the friendly farmer will take care of you

and the sun will bite your body , as the dust will draw you thristy
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
oh , welcome to california
where the friendly farmer will take care of you

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 dollar
and forget your crooked collar , bracero
oh , welcome to california
where the friendly farmer will take care of you

and 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 , bracero
oh , welcome to california
where the friendly farmer will take care of you

a bracero is a mexican laborer admitted legally into the u . s . for a short period to
seasonal , usually agricultural , labor .