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.

We're pickers and packers

from DISPLACED​/​MISPLACED by Norman Nawrocki

/

about

The reality of temporary foreign workers in Canada today is unending exploitation.
This track, like the album, was made in solidarity with all immigrants, migrants & refugees forced to leave their homes because of either war, poverty, famine, violence, racism, fascism, etc. For a world without borders & without the exploitation of one person by another.

lyrics

We’re pickers ‘n packers of fruits ‘n vegetables
Sprayers of cucumbers ‘n chicken catchers
Factory butchers of pigs and beef
Doing the dirty work ¬¬– so you can eat!
Migrant workers abused… exploited to the max

More arms to lose in the agro business machine
More heads to wrench off in the belly of the beast
We breathe pesticides – no masks required!
Injured on the job? Don’t worry – we get fired!
Migrant workers abused… exploited to the max

Hoe those rows from sunrise to sundown
hoe those rows boys and girls
Pick those berries from sunrise to sundown
pick those berries boys and girls
Pack those boxes from sunrise to sundown
pack those boxes boys and girls
And when the moon starts yawning
then you can call it a day (x2)

Labour brokers set up short term hires
Companies work us til we’re dead tired
Use us to keep wages down, profits up
Threaten to fire us – if our protests don’t stop
Us migrant workers abused….. exploited to the max

We’re forced to leave homes where hunger rules
Hoping to return with savings of our own
But they bleed us dry – and broke!
For the privilege to be enslaved – no joke!
Us migrant workers abused… exploited to the max

refrain

No citizen here would do this dirty hard work
under horrible conditions, for the little they pay
So they convinced the government to import us
Cheap foreign temp labour to save their day
us migrant workers abused and exploited to the max

Now we’re organizing ¬¬– to protect our rights!
every worker – migrant or not – deserves a better life!
Health, safety ‘n better pay – are worth the fight!
every worker – migrant or not – deserves a better life

Stop hoeing those rows boys and girls
Stop picking those berries boys and girls
Stop packing those boxes boys and girls
When the sun starts rising, it’s time to organize! (x2)

credits

from DISPLACED​/​MISPLACED, track released February 14, 2017
Words & vocals: Norman Nawrocki.
Violin, mouth harp & tambourine: Norman Nawrocki.
Guitar: Greg Smith.
Interviewee: Gil, a temporary foreign farm worker from Guatamala.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Norman Nawrocki image

Norman Nawrocki Montreal, Québec

Norman Nawrocki is a Canadian Polish/Ukrainian violinist & composer based in Montreal, Quebec. A veteran of the city’s underground music scene & also tours internationally. Since 1986, he's released 33 albums (solo & with his many bands like Rhythm Activism, DaZoque!, Bakunin’s Bum, SANN, Wild Plains, Crocodile!) & has 35 compilations. He's also an author & a playwright. ... more

contact / help

Contact Norman Nawrocki

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Norman Nawrocki, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now