dccclxxviii. SIMON, Paul: Born in Puerto Rico

dccclxxviii. SIMON, Paul (1941-       )

Born in Puerto Rico (1997)
PS, vocals, guitar
Danny Rivera, vocals
Ray De La Paz, background vocals
Nestor Sanchez, background vocals
Oscar Hernandez, keyboards
Nelson Gonzalez, tres, plenaro
Edgardo Mirando, cuatro
Vincent Nguini, guitar
John Beal, bass
Robby Ameen, drums
Bobby Allende, bongos, cymbal
Marc Quinones, timbales, congas, cua
David Rodriguez, trumpet
Ray Vega, trumpet
Juliet Hafner, viola
Oriente Lopez, piano
Stewart Rose, French horn
Marcia Butler, oboe
(4:54)

I was born in Puerto Rico
We came here when I was a child
Before I reached the age of sixteen
I was running with a gang and we were wild

He keeps lookin' but he don't recognize me
Some guy from Lexington or Park
Red beans and rice from kitchen windows
It's suppertime and the Barrio is dark
No one knows you like I do
Nobody can know your heart the way I do
No one can testify to all that you've been through
But I will

I was born in Puerto Rico
And my blood is taino
Spanish Caribbean in my soul

We came here wearing summer clothes in winter
Hearts of sunshine in the cold
Your family rented this apartment
You'd watch the streetlamps from your perch
In the sacramental hour you stepfather in black
Preached the fire of the Pentecostal Church
No one knows you like I do
Nobody can know your heart the way I do
No one to testify to all that you've been through
But this will

I was born in Puerto Rico
Came here when I was a child
Small change and sunlight, then I left these streets for good
My days as short as they were wild

I'm Carlos Apache
Angel Soto
Frenchy Cordero
Babu Charlie Cruz
Your features blurred in every grainy photo
And fading headline of the Daily News

Wiltwyck School for Criminal Children
Auburn, Brooklyn House of D.
Dannemora, Sing Sing, Attica, Greenhaven
Twenty years inside, today we're free

You cannot even read your story
The pages piling up in shame
Before the words released you, the guard will kill the light
The night you took The Capeman for your name

I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico
I was born in Puerto Rico