El Bracero Mexicano

By Los Braceros (Coast 7063), Circa 1950

The Bracero Program, officially known as the Mexican Farm Labor Program, began with a 1942 Executive Order permitting Mexican men to work in the United States on short-term labor contracts. The program addressed a national agricultural labor shortage during WWII and ceased the unjust Depression-era deportations of Mexican workers. More than four million Mexican men went to work on American farms and railroads. Recorded in Los Angeles, “El Bracero Mexicano” narrates a bracero’s journey north of the border, where he hopes to earn money and create a better life.

Bracero putting melon in bag, Mendota, CA, 1961.
Tractor cart filled with bags, Mendota, CA, 1961.
Bracero picking celery, Salinas Valley, CA, 1961.

Spanish

Mañana si Dios lo quiere
Empezere mi camino
Chatita ya me despedido
Y a ver que trae el destino

Me voy con mis compañeros
A trabajar de Bracero
Vamos a Los Estados Unidos
A ganar mucho dinero

Si quieres que vuelva pronto
Inciendele una velita
Al sagrado corazon
Y guarda su medallita

Me cuentan mi companeros
Que alla se encuentra fortuna
Pero por rica que sea
Como mi patria ninguna

Ya las campanas repican
En la capilla del barrio
Se acerca ya mi partida
Se va tu prieto enganchado

Ya me despido mi vida
Yo por delante primero
Y que la Virgen me cuide
Que ya voy de bracero

Ya me despido mi vida
Yo por delante primero
Y que la Virgen me cuide
Que ya voy de bracero

English

Tommorrow, Godwilling
I being my journey
Sweety, I am leaving
Let’s see what destiny brings

I am leaving with my friends
To work as a bracero
We’re going to the United States
To make lots of money

If you want me to return quickly
Light a candle
To the Sacred heart
And keep the medallion

My friends tell me
That there are fortunes to be found
But no matter how rich it is
There is nothing like my Country

The bells are ringing
In the neighborhood chapel
I am getting closer to leaving
Your hired worker is leaving

I bid you farewell my love
As I first make my way
The Virgin will watch over me
Now that I leaving as a bracero

I bid you farewell my love
As I first make my way
The Virgin will watch over me
Now that I leaving as a bracero

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