We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Grape Pickers

from GOOD ROAD by Burns and Warshaw

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Newest album of authentic traditional and original American acoustic music by these veteran masters of folk. Songs ranging from lust through comedy to battling injustice. You'll want to listen, learn, sing, play and share.
    CD shrink wrapped jewel case.
    Album notes by Jack Warshaw
    Song notes by Burns and Warshaw

    Jack Warshaw - vocals, guitars, banjo, autoharp, production
    Stuart Burns - vocals, guitar
    John McGarvey – bass
    Ken and Chris Amblin – studio/mix
    Bart Warshaw - mastering
    Jack Warshaw - design

    Includes unlimited streaming of GOOD ROAD via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    edition of 100 
    Purchasable with gift card

      $8.99 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    8
    releases

    Get all 8 Jack Warshaw releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Mother Jones, The Last Tree, Misfits Migrants and Murders, ENDANGERED SPECIES, Long Time Gone, Troubadour, My Children, and GOOD ROAD. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $22.10 USD or more (35% OFF)

     

about

Jack wrote this in 1970 after reading a feature story on the
exploitation of California’s migrant workers by Norman Lewis. Norman sent it to Cesar Chavez to help the fight for union recognition he was leading.

lyrics

The night time is hot and the city is sleeping
Ramon Sanchez takes Maria his wife by the hand
The American border's a mile down the highway
The border they gotta cross over to work on the land
Cross over to work on the land

Ramon and Maria just follow the footsteps
To a place called "the Hole" where ten thousand stand in a line
If you look like you're strong you'll get work in the vinyards
Where fruit flies are thicker than dust or the grapes on the vine
Than dust or the grapes on the vine

At four the bus starts on another day's journey
At six see the sun in the hlls and the sky glowin' red
At eight they arrive, by nine they are weary
By eleven the drone of the duster is heard overhead

You work in a blizzard of fruit flies and hoppers
You bend and you bleed and you sweat and you choke and you crawl
Your lungs fill with dust and your body is broken
The life of a picker, you know it ain't no life at all
You know it ain't no life at all
<break
The duster plane circled low over the vinyard
Ramon knew the sound that means run for the trucks or the shed
It came down like rain where Maria was working
Maria worked on, but a few hours later fell dead
A few hours later fell dead

Ramon, said the grower, we're all mighty sorry
She must have been sick long before she come up from the South
The spray can't hurt people and we don't want trouble
So here's your day's pay, dont come back and don't open your mouth
Don't come back and don't open your mouth

He threw down the money, walked out of the office
Maria was taken to town and they gave him her things
There's nowhere to go now but over the border
Adios mi Maria, it's their death the next harvest brings
It's their death the next harvest brings

credits

from GOOD ROAD, released February 15, 2013

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jack Warshaw image

Jack Warshaw UK

Veteran of the 1960s folk revival, he passionately believes, writes and sings with authenticity and respect for traditional American styles and song carriers. He has met, learned from or worked with such legends as Pete, Mike and Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, Ewan MacColl, Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt, Clarence Ashley, Dave Van Ronk, Stuart Burns and many others. Watch Youtube. Bio on Wikipedia ... more

contact / help

Contact Jack Warshaw

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Jack Warshaw recommends:

If you like Jack Warshaw, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now