Outernational, Tom Morello cover 'Deportees' to protest Arizona immigration law

Politically charged New York rock group Outernational has enlisted Tom Morello for a new recording of Woody Guthrie’s poignant immigration ballad “Deportees” that the band is making available as a free download in response to Arizona’s recent law targeting illegal immigrants.

The group has put out the song, arranged as a accordion-driven waltz, ahead of a planned protest against the law in Arizona on Saturday, which band members say they will attend.

“We recorded 'Deportees' with Tom Morello and are going down to Arizona on May 29th to stand with all the people courageously fighting back against these unjust and immoral laws,” Outernational’s Miles Solay said in a statement issued this week. “Outernational is about a whole new world, a world without borders and nations. Todos somos illegales. We are all illegals.”

Morello, long known for his own politically provocative music with Rage Against the Machine and the Nightwatchman, said, “Prejudice and ignorance are at the core of Arizona's recent immigration legislation and Woody Guthrie's ‘Deportees’ was written to combat just that sort of prejudice."

Guthrie wrote the song following a 1948 plane crash near Los Gatos Canyon in Central California, killing 28 Mexican migrant workers and four Americans. The New York Times report of the crash listed the names of the three flight crew members and a security guard, but referred to the Mexican workers only as “deportees."

It was originally popularized by Guthrie’s friend Pete Seeger and subsequently covered by numerous artists including Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Guthrie’s son Arlo and Emmylou Harris, Bruce Springsteen, the Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton and the Byrds.

Outernational featuring Tom Morello - "Deportee" [MP3]

--Randy Lewis

Comments

[maandrews]

Sorry....This will never make the "Top 40"! Check out Ray Stevens song "Come To the USA" on youtube.com for the real story.

[curiousprl]

I haven't heard the song yet but I hate it already. This song will not be on the top 20 for sure.

[rex]

where is zach de la rocha?

[Josh]

Of course you do, Curious. Listening to it and liking it would result in cognitive dissonance and possibly cause you to question your chosen pre-determined narrative.

Your moniker is ironic, to say the least.

[Scott]

Great song, great update for the current messed-up situation. Thanks for sharing the link. There needs to be way more protest music like this.

[Nik G]

Awesome cover!!! We need more music like this right now!

[Liz]

I like it better than the other, more folk-y versions.

[Kevin]

Wow Tom, another great way to protest Arizona without actually doing anything. Great job, guy. Throw another spitball at the chalkboard. You're so anti-authority. Why don't you play some benefit shows in Arizona to protest and raise money for oppositional efforts? Oh yeah, forgot, too much work and too scary.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Kevin, you're an idiot! He just specifically stated both him & Outernational are going to Arizona to protest with the rest of the resistance. This is them PUTTING THEMSELVES in the middle of the situation, in which they could very well be arrested for. So before you actually open your mouth, how about actually reading the entire article.

Btw, great song Morello! Definitely another favorite of mine. Keep it up & good luck with the protests in Arizona.

Red Love & Salutes

[Sam]

I'm pretty sure that Tom Morello and Outernational aren't too bothered about getting in the charts...