East Fresno in the morning
The sun just coming up
Some guys there on a corner
Looking to make a buck
Waiting on the man
He’ll be there by and by
And they’re hoping that he’s hiring
It’s root hog or die
And they’ll be taking what he’s paying
He don’t have to persuade
There’s always someone hurting
That’s the trick of the trade
It might be picking peaches
It might be picking peas
Another day up a ladder
Another day down on their knees
Dig all the way to Bakersfield
With a short handled hoe
Send some money Western Union
Down to Mexico
And they’ll be taking what he’s paying
He don’t have to persuade
There’s always someone hurting
That’s the trick of the trade
And when the day is over
And they’re back out on the street
Share a bottle with their buddies
Keep an eye out for the heat
Then whatever sleep they get
Wherever they find the room
Lay down your weary head
Tomorrow’s coming soon
And they’ll be taking what he’s paying
He don’t have to persuade
There’s always someone hurting
That’s the trick of the trade
Here he comes round the corner
Pulls up to the curb
Takes his time to look ‘em over
He don’t have to say a word
And when he points his finger
They know what to do
They climb up in the back
The lucky chosen few
And they’ll be taking what he’s paying
He don’t have to persuade
There’s always someone hurting
That’s the trick of the trade