The Meaning Behind The Song: Deportees by Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter, who was known for his progressive and radical views. He was particularly concerned with issues surrounding the poor, the working class, and migrants. One of his most famous songs is “Deportees”, which he wrote in response to a tragic incident that occurred in California.
The song tells the story of a plane crash that occurred in Los Gatos Canyon, California on January 28th, 1948. The plane was carrying 32 people, including 28 migrant farm workers who were being deported back to Mexico. The rest of the passengers were the crew members of the plane. Unfortunately, all 32 people on board the plane died in the crash.
The tragedy was widely reported in the press, but the names of the migrant workers were not released. They were simply referred to as “deportees”. Guthrie was outraged by this and felt that it was disrespectful to the migrants who had lost their lives. He wrote “Deportees” to give voice to these nameless migrants and to protest the way they were treated.
The Lyrics of Deportees
“Deportees” is a powerful and emotional song. The lyrics are as follows:
The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting
The oranges are piled in their creosote dumps
You’re flying ’em back to the Mexican border
To pay all their money to wade back again
Goodbye to my Juan, goodbye, Rosalita
Adiós mis amigos, Jesús y María
You won’t have your names when you ride the big airplane
All they will call you will be deportees
My father’s own father, he waded that river
They took all the money he made in his life
My brothers and sisters come work in the fruit fields
They rode the truck till they took down and died
The airplane caught fire over Los Gatos Canyon
A fireball of lightning, and shook all our hills
Who are these dear friends, all scattered like dry leaves?
The radio said, they were just deportees
Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards?
Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit?
To fall like dry leaves and rot on my topsoil
And be called by no name except “deportees”
An Analysis of the Song
The lyrics of “Deportees” are a powerful condemnation of the mistreatment suffered by migrant workers in the United States. The song is a call for social justice and human dignity.
The first verse of the song highlights the irony of the situation. The crops are all in and the peaches are rotting, yet the people who worked hard to harvest them are being deported. The oranges are piled in their creosote dumps, yet the migrant workers who picked them are being sent back to Mexico. It is a poignant reminder that the people who contribute to the wealth of the United States are not always treated fairly.
The second verse of the song speaks more personally to Guthrie’s own experiences. He talks about his own family’s history as migrants. His father’s father waded across the Rio Grande to come to the United States. His brothers and sisters also came to work in the fruit fields. The song suggests that there is a long and complicated history of migration in the United States, and that it affects many families.
The final verse of the song is the most powerful. It describes the tragedy of the plane crash and how the migrant workers were not even given the dignity of having their names released. The radio simply referred to them as “deportees”. Guthrie’s anger and frustration are palpable in these lines.
Overall, the song is a powerful indictment of the mistreatment of migrants in the United States. It reminds us that these people are human beings with names, families, and hopes for a better future.
10 Frequently Asked Questions about “Deportees”
1. Who were the “deportees” referred to in the song?
The deportees were a group of 28 migrant workers who were being deported back to Mexico. They were killed in a plane crash in Los Gatos Canyon, California on January 28th, 1948.
2. Why were the names of the deportees not released?
The names of the deportees were not released in the press because they were not considered to be important enough to be named. They were simply referred to as “deportees”.
3. Who wrote “Deportees”?
The song was written by Woody Guthrie, a famous American singer-songwriter known for his progressive activism.
4. What is the message of the song?
The song is a powerful indictment of the mistreatment of migrants in the United States. It highlights the humanity of these individuals and critiques the way they are treated by American society.
5. What is the significance of the plane crash?
The plane crash is significant because it was a tragedy that affected many people, including the migrant workers who were killed.
6. How did the song influence the American public?
The song helped to raise awareness about the mistreatment of migrants in the United States. It was also important in giving a voice to the nameless migrants who died in the plane crash.
7. How has the issue of immigration changed since the song was written?
The issue of immigration has become even more contentious since the song was written. There has been much debate about border security, the treatment of migrants, and how to address issues related to undocumented workers.
8. What is Guthrie’s legacy?
Guthrie is remembered as one of the most important American folk musicians of all time. He was also a political activist who used his music to bring attention to important social issues.
9. What other songs did Guthrie write?
Guthrie wrote many other famous songs, including “This Land is Your Land”, “Pastures of Plenty”, and “The Ballad of Tom Joad”.
10. What can we learn from “Deportees”?
“Deportees” reminds us of the humanity of migrants and the importance of treating them with dignity and respect. It also calls attention to the history of migration in the United States and the role it has played in shaping American society.
