Among their greatest hits -after their Three Souls era- "Triste Cancion" (based on Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane"), "Metro Balderas" (originally by Rodrigo Gonzalez), and "Piedras Rodantes" are probably the most known and have the quality of Anthems. Favorite bluesy songs such as "Oye Cantinero" and "ADO" belong to their Three Souls era, but are included in compilations and newer versions (from live concert recordings) abound.
Trabajo Pesado
El Tri Lyrics
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que necesitan la mano de obra
de los indocumentados
para sobrevivir
No quieren a los mexicanos
dicen que somos muy conflictivos
y a los balceros cubanos
los tratan como enemigos
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
Despues de escapar de Castro
y luchar contra el mar y los tiburones
al llegar a tierra firme
los tratan como ladrones
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
El trabajo pesado, el trabajo pesado....
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
Mas les vale a los gueros
olvidarse de discriminaciones
y aceptar a nuestros mojados
y a los balseros cubanos
Por que si no
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
In this song, El Tri is speaking out against the discrimination and mistreatment faced by undocumented immigrants and Cuban refugees who come to the United States seeking work and a better life. The lyrics condemn the misguided attitudes of many Americans who refuse to acknowledge the vital role that these individuals play in the American economy, performing the "trabajo pesado" or hard work that many others are unwilling to do.
The song highlights the hypocrisy of those who criticize and stereotype Mexican immigrants and Cuban refugees as "conflictive" or "thieves", while also relying on them to do the dirty work that keeps many businesses and industries running. El Tri calls on Americans to reject discrimination and accept these immigrants for who they are, recognizing their value and contributions to society.
The chorus repeats the question of who will do the "trabajo pesado" if not these immigrants and refugees, emphasizing the importance of their hard work and dedication to making a better life for themselves and their families.
Overall, this song is a powerful call for empathy, understanding, and acceptance, urging listeners to recognize the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of their immigration status or country of origin.
Line by Line Meaning
Porque no entienden los gringos
The Americans don't understand
que necesitan la mano de obra
That they need manual labor
de los indocumentados
From undocumented immigrants
para sobrevivir
To survive
No quieren a los mexicanos
They don't want Mexicans
dicen que somos muy conflictivos
They say we're too confrontational
y a los balceros cubanos
And to the Cuban balseros
los tratan como enemigos
They treat them like enemies
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
And who will do the heavy work
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
Who will do the hard labor for them
Despues de escapar de Castro
After escaping from Castro
y luchar contra el mar y los tiburones
And fighting against the sea and the sharks
al llegar a tierra firme
After reaching the firm ground
los tratan como ladrones
They treat them like thieves
El trabajo pesado, el trabajo pesado....
The hard labor, the hard labor...
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
And who will do the heavy work
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
Who will do the hard labor for them
Mas les vale a los gueros
It would be better for the whites
olvidarse de discriminaciones
To forget about discrimination
y aceptar a nuestros mojados
And to accept our wetbacks
y a los balseros cubanos
And to the Cuban balseros
Por que si no
Because otherwise
Y el trabajo pesado quien se los va a hacer
And who will do the heavy work
quien les va a hacer el trabajo pesado
Who will do the hard labor for them
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.