Pocho Aztlan

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of a marginalized group, referred to as "pochos" and "hijos de mojados," who are "hidden" and "well-mixed" within the United States. Despite the presence of "borders," they "always arrive," "make homes," and "are born." The narrator highlights the feeling of not belonging anywhere, being "not wanted here nor there," a sentiment that fuels the creation of a new, imagined homeland: "Pocho Aztlán." The central tension arises from this displacement and rejection. The lyrics explicitly state, "Hay una raza / Bien odiada / En cada rincón" (There is a race / Well hated / In every corner). This pervasive animosity, coupled with the accusation of "stealing jobs" and the derogatory term "fucking wetbacks," underscores the harsh reality faced by this community. The repeated question, "Hijos de mojados de dónde son?" (Children of wetbacks, where are you from?), emphasizes their ambiguous identity and the constant questioning of their place. The most striking element is the invocation of "Pocho Aztlán" as a defiant response to this alienation. Aztlán is a mythical homeland for the Aztec people, and by reappropriating it as "Pocho Aztlán," the lyrics propose a new identity forged from the experience of being "pocho" – a term often used pejoratively for Mexicans or Mexican-Americans who are perceived as having assimilated too much into American culture. This invented "kingdom" becomes a sanctuary and a source of pride, a place where they are not only accepted but also "armed to defend." This lyrical construction is powerful because it transforms shame and rejection into a collective identity and a call to arms. The repetition of "Aztlán-Aztlán" acts as a chant, solidifying this new homeland in the listener's mind. The lyrics suggest that when injustice strikes one, "soldiers will come out of every corner," implying a unified front born from shared struggle and the promise of "Pocho Aztlán" as a rallying point for those who are "not wanted here nor there."