Story Behind The Song
As a part of the Religion and Labor Council of Kansas CIty, I watched while several local plants closed and their workers were laid off while the plants moved to the Maquiladora to exploit workers there.
Song Description
Maquiladora's along the US/Mexico border don't live up to their promise
| Song Length |
5:09 |
Genre |
Latin - General, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Non 4/4 |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Worried, Irritated |
Subject |
Justice, Protest |
| Language |
Multi-Language |
Era |
1990 - 1999 |
Lyrics
Mario and Rosa, moved with their family, up to the border of Texas
Seeking a job and a roof overhead, some food and some hope for the future
Early next morning, Mario went walking to the door of the shiny, new plant
But he heard them say, as they turned him away, "Have you got any young daughters at home?"
For only his young, teen-aged daughter, Rita, was offered a job
In high heels and a dress, harassed and distressed, she's working in the "Mill of Gold."
In high heels and a dress, harassed and distressed, she's working in the "Mill of Gold." Coro
Maquiladora, paying just nickels a day
Maquiladora, you've taken my dreams away.
Michael and Barbara struggle to make it, they've got Jason and Jesse to feed
Michael's been working, day in and day out, and overtime right here at Leeds
Well the rumor's were flying, but he didn't believe them right here in the US of A
But finally the truth came straight home to roost when he got the pink slip in his pay
"This plant's making too little profit," were the words from the manager's mouth
Despite the big check in the stockholder's hand, this factory is moving down south
Despite the big check in the stockholder's hand, this factory is moving down south Coro
Begun as a dream of building a team that straddles and bridges the border
Twin factories, paired, to do work that is shared was forgotten in very short order
With few taxes to pay and no EPA and no safety laws to go by
What began as a dream twisted into a scheme to avoid the public eye.
Our taxpayer's dollars are paying to build bridges that we cannot use
over toxic waste flowing down under the sand that is feeding the Rio Grande
And both sides drink from river and sink that is fed by the Rio Grande
And both sides drink from river and sink that is fed by the Rio Grande Coro