☝️ Key Points
- Description of the hard work and difficult conditions of migrant workers during the Great Depression
- Mention of the escape from the Dust Bowl and the challenges the workers encountered along the way
- Description of the work in orchards and the life of migrant workers in cities
- Emphasis on the importance of fertile land and water
- Expression of the struggle of migrant workers for their rights and their connection to the land
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Pastures of Plenty" by
Woody Guthrie tell the experiences and life of migrant workers during the Great Depression in the United States. The text describes the hard work and difficult conditions these workers were exposed to.
The text begins by saying that the singer's hands have done heavy work and his feet have traveled a long, dusty road. He talks about escaping the Dust Bowl, a region plagued by dust storms and drought. The migrant workers headed west and had to deal with hot deserts and cold mountains.
The singer recounts his work in fruit orchards and sleeping on the ground under the moonlight. He describes how the migrant workers come into the cities and then move on with the wind. They travel through California, Arizona, and Oregon to harvest crops. They harvest peaches, plums, beets, and grapes, which then end up on people's tables.
The text also emphasizes the importance of fertile land and water. It mentions the Grand Coulee Dam, which supplies water to the land. The migrant workers have worked in every state in the United States and will continue to fight for their rights.
The singer describes how he moves with the river through green valleys and will work in these valleys until death. He is willing to defend his land with his life because his pastures must always be free.
Overall, the song lyrics "Pastures of Plenty" by Woody Guthrie convey the harsh reality and living conditions of migrant workers during the Great Depression. They tell of their hard work, their struggle for better living conditions, and their connection to the land.