The Highwaymen: A Powerful Tribute to Lost Lives
The Highwaymen, a legendary supergroup comprised of country music icons Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, have left an indelible mark on the genre.
Background
Their music, a blend of country, folk, and rock, often delves into social and political themes. One of their most powerful songs, “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos),” is a poignant tribute to the lives lost in a tragic plane crash.
Originally written by Woody Guthrie, “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)” was popularized by The Highwaymen in 1990.
The song tells the true story of a plane crash that killed 28 Mexican migrant workers in 1948. Guthrie’s lyrics highlight the tragedy of the incident and the dehumanizing treatment of migrant workers.
The Highwaymen’s rendition of “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)” adds a layer of depth and emotion to the song.
Their powerful vocals and heartfelt performances bring the lyrics to life, emphasizing the human cost of the tragedy. The song serves as a reminder of the importance of social justice and the need to treat all people with dignity and respect.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
The crops are all inAnd the peaches are rottenThe oranges are all packedIn the creosote dumpsThey’re flying them back toThe Mexican BorderTo save all their money, and wade back againMy father’s own father, he waded that riverOthers before him have done just the sameThey died in the hillsAnd they’ve died in the valleySome went to heaven, without any nameGoodbye to my Juan, goodbye RosalitaAdios mi amigo, Jesus and MariaYou won’t have a name whenYou ride the big airplaneAll they will call you will be “Deportee”Some of us are illegal, and others not wantedOur work contracts outAnd we have to move onSix hundred miles to the Mexican BorderThey chase us like rustlers, like outlawsLike thieves