Yup, Rebecca, I've found the same. It's easier to find information about the folks who migrated west from other parts of the US, such as the Dust Bowl, during the 30s, than it is to find stories about Latinos during that time. Thank heavens Tim located that tremendous article on Impact of the Great Depression on Latino Americans. Many Latinos, in California in particular, where "repatriated" to Mexico (even if they had been born in the US!). I envision a family that travels north to Oregon rather than risk repatriation.On the bright side, I found a few stunning Woody Guthrie tunes! He'd been commissioned by the WPA to musically chronicle the effects of the GD...
Talking Dust Bowl Blues
Talking Dust Bowl Blues lyrics
Pastures of Plenty
Pastures of Plenty lyrics
Grand Coulee Dam performed by Lonnie Donegan!
Grand Coulee Dam lyrics
And this is a personal favorite, Poor Lazarus
...dead or alive, come up and see me, dead or alive...
Poor Lazarus lyrics
You should check out The St. James Infirmary Blues. It's a traditional blues song from the early 1900's. Here are the lyrics (I can also play it for you on the guitar, if you'd like). My favorite version is Arlo Guthrie's.
ReplyDeleteHere's a chord chart:
http://www.heartwoodguitar.com/Guitar%20Music%20for%20Web/Guthrie,%20Arlo%20-%20St.%20James%20Infirmary.htm