The lyrics of Joan Manuel Serrat's song "Els Veremadors" (The Grape Pickers) depict the story of grape pickers and their struggle for a better life. The song highlights the harsh conditions and sacrifices these workers make in search of a brighter future. The story begins in September, as the grape harvest season approaches and the workers, coming from different regions such as Aragón, Africa, and the South, purchase their tickets for the train of hope. They are seen walking away with their suitcases, heading towards the train station in La Estació de França. The song suggests that the grape pickers may have roots left behind, possibly lost or forgotten in a field. They leave behind a barren and rocky piece of land that their fathers had given them, where they worked tirelessly day after day and eventually grew old. They survive on scraps of sausage, a piece of bread, and a sip of wine, which shortens their journey. Each picker harbors a dream and speaks with their own accent, but despite their differences, they all speak the same language, the language of the laborer. The "language of the laborer" is described as simple, tough, and predestined, as it connects all the grape pickers together. Throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset, they cut and harvest grapes from vines that belong to others. At night, they gather together to curse their fate, in the discomfort of the straw pillow that slowly eats away at their cheek. In winter, they return home with minimal earnings, which will have to supplement what the land left behind by their fathers failed to provide. The song ends with the grape pickers promising to return next year to La Estació de França, with their suitcases in hand, to once again walk along the pier. The grape pickers represent a diverse group, hailing from Aragón, Africa, and the South, and they share the common struggle and hardships of their work. "Els Veremadors" highlights the challenging lives of grape pickers, their courage, and their longing for a better future. The song serves as a tribute to their labors and a reminder of the sacrifices they make for a modest livelihood.
