About the Song
“Un Mojado Sin Licencia” is a one of many Tejano songs, sang by Flaco Jimenez, a famous singer, songwriter, and accordionist. The word Tejano is a term used to describe Texan people that are of Mexican descent. Tejano music, which is also called Tex-Mex music, is a genre that combines the influences of northern Mexican music (norteño), Southern and Central Texan music, and the unique styles of Czech and German immigrants who settled in Texas in the 19th century. Tejano music typically features instruments like the accordion, violin, and brass instruments. Jimenez’s song mainly features accordion and vocals, with a bass guitar keeping the beat. Spanish is prominent throughout Tejano music, as it is the native language of many Tejano people. Jimenez’s song is written and sung in Spanish. The title of Jimenez’s song translates to “A Wetback Without A License.” The word “wetback” is a derogatory term used towards Mexicans who have entered the U.S illegally. It’s likely this word was one of many slurs thrown at Tejanos, by Anglo Texans, who didn’t view them as legitimate Texans. In his song, Jimenez illustrates the struggles of being a citizen in love, living in America, but being one who is not recognized by the law.
Lyric Summary
The narrator talks of traveling from the edge Southern Texan border, from the city of Laredo, all the way to San Antonio, to marry his love named Chencha. But unfortunately, he is unable to marry her can’t because he is a “wetback.” He bought a car to take his Chencha for a ride, but he got pulled over and arrested for driving without lights or a license. He gets out of jail, but soon thereafter he finds his love with “a gringo, the head boss who gives out licenses.” Jimenez wants a job, himself possessing the skills carpenter or a musician, but feels as though even if he gets a job, people will still ask for his license. So, he decides to go back to Laredo, accepting he has lost his car and his love to ‘sneaky gringos.’
Lyric Analysis
Jimenez’s whole song is about a Mexican living in Texas without a license. The narrator’s mention of driving a car can lead one to think he is referring to a driver’s license, however, the term “license” has a broader definition and is meant to refer to the license required for one to live in America (e.g a green card). Without a license, the man in Jimenez’s song is not considered a legal citizen and therefore cannot truly live in America. As a result, he cannot be with the woman he loves. In fact, she leaves him for a gringo that is the “head boss who gives out licenses.” This license-issuing head boss the narrator refers to may not necessarily be a government employee who physically issues licenses. In my eyes, the narrator gives the man this description to contrast the “gringo’s” social status with the narrator’s own. The narrator is a Tejano without a license and therefore has limited citizenship. Meanwhile, the “gringo” he describes (who presumably has legal citizenship) is viewed as high class, relative to the narrator, so it’s as if he has the power to issue licenses himself. Rather than continue to face poor treatment for his social status, the narrator decides to go back home to Laredo, forfeiting his car and his love for the more Mexican-cultured, and more welcoming city.
Texan-ness
Texan pride is often described as a sense of extreme arrogance and patriotism. It’s the idea that those who are from Texas are superior to those who aren’t. This Texan pride is completely missing from Jimenez’s song. Jimenez instead sings about Tejanos being viewed as second class in Texas. Rather than feeling the same superiority that many other Texans describe, he feels a sense of degradation. Many songs about Texas talk about choosing to stay in Texas as opposed to going elsewhere. In contrast, Jimenez expresses that Tejanos are better off heading south towards Mexico if they don’t want to face discrimination and racism.
Spanish Lyrics
Desde Laredo a San Antonio
yo he venido a casarme con mi Chencha
y no he podido, por ser mojado.
pues para todo me exigen Ia licencia.
Se me hizo facil comprar un carro
para sacar a pasear a mi Cresencia
y por Ia noche fui a dar al bote
porque no traiba ni luces ni licencia.
AI fin de todo sali del bote
con muchas ganas de vera mi Chencha.
Ia halle paseando con un gabacho,
el mero jefe que arregla las licencia
Ando buscando tambien trabajo
soy carpintero y mariachi de experiencia
Lde que me sirve mi buen o.ficio
si para todo me exigen mi licencia?
Ya me regreso para Laredo
Aqui he sufridoya basta de verguenza.
Estos, gabachos son abusados,
perdi mi carro y me quitaroh a Chencha.
English Translation
I’ve come to marry Chencha.
But I haven’t been able to do it because I’m
a wetback
And I keep being asked for my license.
I thought I’d buy a car
To take my Cresencia for a ride
And that night I wound up in the can
‘Cause I didn’t have any lights or a license.
Finally I got out of the clink
Looking forward to seeing my Chencha
I found her with a gringo
The head boss who gives out licenses.
I am also looking for a job
lam an experienced carpenter and musician
But what good is my job for
If they keep asking for my license?
I’m going back to Laredo
I’ve suffered enough shame
These gringos sure are sneaky,
I lost my car and my Chencha.
Works Cited
“Wetback.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wetback.
Jimenez, Flaco, and Michael Goodwin. “Un Mojado Sin Licencia and Other Hits From the 1960s.” Arhoolie Productions, Inc., 1993.
“Tejano Music History: 4 Characteristics of Tejano Music – 2021.” MasterClass, www.masterclass.com/articles/tejano-music-guide.
