Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)

"Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)," also known simply as "Deportee," is a protest song written by Woody Guthrie in 1948 and popularized by Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and others. It commemorates the 1948 plane crash near Los Gatos Canyon, California, that killed 28 farmworkers being deported back to Mexico.

The song's central theme is the dehumanization of migrant workers. Guthrie was angered by the news reports of the crash, which referred to the victims simply as "deportees" without naming them. The song challenges this anonymity by lamenting that the victims had no names in the official records, and asks who mourned their loss or even knew they existed beyond their status as cheap labor. The lyrics pointedly ask, "Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards? Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit?"

The song recounts the details of the crash, including the burning wreckage and the scattered bodies. It also references the border patrol officer who was on the plane, whose name was reported in the news. This juxtaposition further highlights the disparity in treatment and recognition between the American citizen and the Mexican farmworkers.

Guthrie did not initially write a melody for the lyrics. The song was later set to music by Martin Hoffman, a music teacher, in the late 1950s. Hoffman's melody has become the standard for the song.

"Deportee" has become a powerful anthem for social justice and migrant rights, raising awareness of the struggles and exploitation faced by undocumented workers. The song continues to be relevant as immigration issues remain a significant topic of debate and concern.

The title "Plane Wreck at Los Gatos" is often appended to the title "Deportee" to provide specific historical context and identify the event to which the song refers.