Before the song

1. The song lyrics are represented in the word cloud below. In groups, classify the words in categories. Can you guess what the song is about? Share your ideas with the rest of the class.

2. The band´s name is “Los Jornaleros del Norte.” Read their website and watch this video presentation to know more about the band and their music project. In groups of three, answer the questions below. Then discuss your answers with the rest of the class.

2.1. What event led to the band´s first song? When did the rest of members joined? What do all of them have in common? What supports and challenges have they encountered on their music journey?

2.2. What are the band´s expressed goals? Do you know any other band or singer who declare similar goals?

2.3. Los Jornaleros say that, with their music, they wish to help people “to create a culture of liberation, a truly popular culture that addresses their daily needs and problems.” And later, they explain what they mean by “a truly popular culture” when they mention that “this popular culture materializes in the capacity that it has to organize, denounce, raise consciousness and mobilize.” What do you think about this perspective on art, in general, and music, in particular?

Go over the list of bands and singers you prepared for questions 2.2. Can their music be considered as the “truly popular culture” defined by the Jornaleros?

2.4. On their website, the band wrote: “Los Jornaleros del Norte are not organizing in a vacuum, they are part of a larger effort to organize a Day Laborers Union which would fight for our own human and civil rights.” It seems that their musical project only makes sense if it is part of a larger political movement. Read the mission and values of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and go over the names in the board of directors: What band members are also part of the organization? What principles and values do the organization and the band have in common? Any other links between the two of them?

3. The band talks about jornaleros (day laborers) in their website and video presentation. How is the work and life of these workers described? What are the problems that specifically affects day laborers?

Song and music video

4. Listen to the song and watch the music video on YouTube.

5. Below you have the lyrics of “This Land is my Land” by Los Jornaleros del Norte. Click on the links to know more about the references in the text.

Was a high wall there that tried to stop me,
a sign was painted, said “Private Property,”
but on the back side it didn’t say nothing.
This land was made for you and me.

Y llegaron…. Los Jornaleros del Norte. (And here they are… Los Jornaleros del Norte).

This land is your land, this land is my land
from California to the New York islands,
from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
This land was made for you and me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway,
I saw below me that golden valle.
This land was made for you and me.

I’ve roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps,
to the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,
and all around me a voice was sounding.
This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
from California to the New York islands,
from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
This land was made for you and me.

Was a high wall there that tried to stop me,
a sign was painted said: “Private Property,”
but on the back side it didn’t say nothing.
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
and the wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling,
a voice was chanting as the fog was lifting.
This land was made for you and me.

Nobody living can ever stop me,
as I go walking that freedom highway,
nobody living can ever make me turn back.
This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
from California to New York islands,
from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters.
This land was made for you and me.
This land was made for you and me.
This land was made for you and me.

After listening to the song