The Taste that will Cure Ya'

Original folk song written by Bob Shannon in Mendocino California, 1982. I, Bob, and family were receiving AFDC and we knew what it was like to raise a large family on a low income, so I sympathized much with the workers of Mexico who came to America in search of work. I aligned my politics and my long time professional music career with the United Farm Workers movement. I have done similar with other minorities.
Oh the taste that will cure ya' Pep up and move ya'
Transpose your whole social climb
White red and yellow; Hearty and mellow
Grapes of those California vines

Sip, sip never gulp it down
Took so long to ripen in the sun
Just the right amount of fruit; picked by the underpaid
Some Mexicans who made the border run.

When you climb in your Porsche; Pick up your girlfriend
go to your pad in Malibu
pop a top of vintage and toast all the good times;
have a sip for Juan and Carlos too.

(Refrain)

There's a man out in Fresno; broken jalopy
A wife, a dog five kids and no TV
For a dollar an hour and sometimes even less
He'll pluck the vines for you and for me.

Oh the taste that will cure ya' Pep up and move ya'
Transpose your whole social climb
White red and yellow; Hearty and mellow
Grapes of those California vines

Sip, sip never gulp it down
Took so long to ripen in the sun
Just the right amount of fruit; picked by the underpaid
Some Mexicans who made the border run.


This recovered song, explained in video, was played on a very cheap child's guitar and I use other toys which made various noises, adding them in later on an inexpensive reel tape recorder. There are a series of 7 songs. This is the first.
Performed by:
Bob Shannon
Singer-Songwriter-Photographer and Father
Jane Shannon Degree in Early Childhood Education
Permission to use in part for education purpose is granted by me the writer of the song. Please give credit if you use it, to Bob Shannon

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bobshannon
• united
• farm
• workers
• migrant
• folk
• music
• original