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| 1. |
| 4:42 | 
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SAL
It was the morning of October 6th, 1960 I was wearing my brown suit Preparing to leave the house of D. Shook some hands then adios Brooklyn amigos Maybe some of them had hopes of seeing me again Some even said that my judge-Judge Gerald Culkin- Wouldn't play it by the book Maybe let us off the hook But, WOH-OO-WOH, I knew better. SAL & SALVADOR Afraid to leave the projects To cross into another neighborhood SAL The blancos and the nigger gangs Well, they'd kill you if they could. AUREA & WOMEN Angel of Mercy, people are suffering All over the world Spanish children are taught on their knees to believe Angel of Mercy, people are suffering All over the island tonight, Mothers weep SAL & AUREA Sisters grieve. SAL Well, I entered the courtroom, state of New York County of New York, just some spic They scrubbed off the sidewalk Guilty by my dress Guilty in the press Let The Capeman burn for the murder Well the "Spanish boys" had their day in court And now it was time for some fuckin' law and order The electric chair For the greasy pair Said the judge to the court reporter SAL & SALVADOR Afraid to leave the projects To cross into another neighborhood SALVADOR The newspapers and the T.V. crews Well, they'd kill you if they could AUREA & WOMEN Angel of Mercy, people are suffering All over the world A Spanish boy could be killed every night of the week SAL But just let some white boy die And the world goes crazy for blood-Latin blood. I don't lie when I speak. SAL & SALVADOR Well they shackled my hands SAL A heavy belt around my waist to restrain me SAL & SALVADOR And they shackled my legs SAL Hernandez, the "Umbrella Man," chained beside me Then we rode that Black Maria Through the streets of Spanish Harlem Calling old friends on the corners SAL & AUREA Just to lay our prayers upon them SAL Crying Adios Hermanos, Adios SAL & SALVADOR Adios Hermanos, Adios Lead Vocal-Paul Simon Background Vocal-Briz Background Vocal-Myrna Gomila Background Vocal-Karen Bernod Background Vocal-Renee Connell-Adams Background Vocal-DeWayne Snype Background Vocal-Kia Jeffries Background Vocal-Ed Vasquez Background Vocal-Derrick James Organ-Oriente Lopez Background Vocals Recorded by Roy Halee |
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| 2. |
| 4:55 |
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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 the gang and we were wild He keeps looking but he don't recognize me. Some guy from Lexington or Park Red beans and rice from kitchen windows Supper-time 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. SAL & THE VAMPIRES I was born in Puerto Rico And my blood is Taino Spanish Caribbean my soul SALVADOR We came here wearing summer clothes in winter Hearts of sunshine in the cold Your family rented this apartment You'd watch the street lamps from your perch In the sacramental hour your 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 can testify to all that you've been through But this will. SAL & THE VAMPIRES I was born in Puerto Rico Came here when I was a child. SALVADOR Small change and sunlight, then I left these streets for good. My days as short as they were wild. CARLOS APACHE I'm Carlos Apache ANGEL SOTO Angel Soto FRENCHY CORDERO Frenchy Cordero BABU CHARLIE CRUZ Babu Charlie Cruz SALVADOR 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 SALVADOR Twenty years inside, today you're free. You cannot even read your story The pages piling up in shame Before the words released you, the guard would kill the light The night you took The Capeman for your name. CHORUS 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 LAZARUS Yo nac?en Puerto Rico Yo nac?en Puerto Rico Mi coraz? es Puerto Rico Mi alma es Puerto Rico Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Coro Vocal-Danny Rivera Background Vocal-Ray De La Paz Background Vocal-Nestor Sanchez Piano, Synthesizer-Oscar Hernandez Tres, Plenaro-Nelson Gonzalez Cuatro-Edgardo Miranda Guitar-Vincent Nguini Bass-John Beal Drums-Robby Ameen Bongos, Cymbal-Bobby Allende Timbales, Congas, Cua-Marc Quinones Trumpet-1st solo-David Rodriguez Trumpet-2nd solo-Ray Vega Viola-Juliet Hafner Flute-Oriente Lopez French Horn-Stewart Rose Oboe-Marcia Butler Orchestration-Stanley Silverman |
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| 3. |
| 5:46 |
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SAL
I been sleeping on the roof of my building It's cooler than the street. I been watching the setting sun As it bounces off the avenue Turning into gold dust at my feet. OH-WOH-OH Carlos and Yolanda Dancing in the hallway To an old melody Spanish eyes and soft brown curls My love, my love Come to me. I believe I'm in the power of Saint Lazarus. And he holds me in his sight I know that these jitterbug days I'm livin', Well, they won't last for all of us, But they'll last for a long summer night. I can feel the fire in her eyes Tonight, tonight Under satin summer skies. THE VAMPIRES OOH-OOH-OO-OOH-OOH-OO OOH-WOO-OO-OO GIRLS Baby, baby, baby Be my special one I seen you move in from across the street I like the way you walk I love the way you run Baby, baby, No more baby talk Papi, this ain't Mayag?z This is the island of Nueva York We'll go through the projects, Make-out on the roofs An' count the stars like silver studs on My . . . Motorcycle boots Tengan cuidado con ese tipo. Ay verdad te digo, ese tipo es tan sucio. ?Sucio! HERNANDEZ You wastin' your time, they don't know what I do You little ghetto weeds . . . I feel like killin' you. Banana-colored light-skinned spics, You feel your peel so fine? I'm Hern?dez, The Umbrella Man, Your future's locked in mine. The Chaplains and The Golden Guineas The Red Wings and The Crowns, The Mighty Mau Maus, Those Shines from Brooklyn, They want to cut The Vampires down The Savage Skulls, The Fordham Baldies, They'll treat you like you're piss From the heart of the barrio, now my brother We tell them mother fuckers suck on this. I think we got something to talk about. You're a coolie from the turf. That's cool, but you don't get no respect around here unless you belong to a bopping gang . . . I mean, you either belong or you get hurt. Or you could buy some protection from me. 'Cause if someone's got to die To pay for the shit they done I believe in an eye for an eye What you believe in, Salvador Agr?? Mr. Agr?? Se?r Agr?? SAL I believe I'm in the power of St. Lazarus And he holds me in his sight I believe he watches over us all Don't tear apart This satin summer night. Lead Vocal, Background Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Lead Vocal-Marc Anthony Background and Duo Vox-Myrna Gomila Background and Duo Vox-Teana Rodriguez Background Vox-Briz Background Vocal-Karen Bernod Background Vocal-Renee Connell-Adams Background Vocal-DeWayne Snype Background Vocal-Kia Jeffries Background Vocal-Ed Vasquez Background Vocal-Derrick James Background Vocal-Edgar Stewart Cuatro-Edgardo Miranda Tenor and Baritone Saxophone-David Mann Background Vocals Recorded by Roy Halee |
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| 4. |
| 3:29 |
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Whoa------I got time on my hands tonight You're the girl of my dreams When I'm near you my future seems bright OO------I want you to be my girl I want you to be my movie I am Sal Mineo and I need you so Sweet Bernadette Whoa------You got style from your hair to your heels Though my words may be jumbled Still I'm telling you just how it feels I love you SAL & BERNADETTE I love you And the breeze that wraps around you SAL Satin summer nights BERNADETTE Satin summer nights SAL & BERNADETTE A girl I can't forget SAL Whoa------You're the smile of the moon Bernadette SAL & BERNADETTE Dom Dom Dom Doo Well-a well I'm home Dom Dom Dom Doo Well-a well I'm home SAL Wop, Wop, Wop, Wop Come with me There's a place I want you to see When the leaves are dark I've got a hiding place in Central Park And the sky is a coat of diamonds There's a wooden cross over my bed The city is lit with candles They're shining for you Bernadette. Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa OO OO, Bernadette SAL & BERNADETTE Dom Dom Dom Doo Well-a well I'm home Dom Dom Dom Doo Well-a well I'm home SAL Wop, Wop, Wop, Wop, Wop. Lead, Background Vocal, Hi String and Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Background Vocal-Milton Cardona Background Vocal-Ray De La Paz Background Vocal-Myrna Gomila Background Vocal-Kevin Harrison Background Vocal-Teana Rodriguez Celeste, Synthesizer, Vibes, Glockenspiel-Oscar Hernandez Guitar-Paul Livant Guitar-Vincent Nguini Tenor Saxophone-Bill Holloman Piano-Horace Ott Bass-John Beal Bell Tree-Bobby Allende Drums, Guitar Case Kick Drum-Robby Ameen |
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| 5. |
| 5:06 |
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Well, did you bring me my money, My cab fare My new shoes? I got expenses, you know Where's my weekly dues? SAL I ain't giving you my fucking money. HERNANDEZ Oye, mother fucker, where's this jibaro from? You go when I say. I call, you come. You know it takes a strong man to survive. It ain't no accident that you're still alive. HERNANDEZ & THE VAMPIRES We stand for the neighborhood HERNANDEZ He still lives with his mami, but he sneaks down, A coolie in the shadow of the playground You want to fight for your people, don't you, Sal? SAL Well, yeah, if I got to. HERNANDEZ Oh, you got to. Come here, I want to show you something. This is the cave of The Vampires, Count Dracula's castle, The very sight could turn a white man grey. Made in the shade, use my umbrella Black like the night we fly in. That blade is all you need to keep the dogs away. So, you want to be a vampire, man! That's good. We always looking for young blood in the neighborhood now Carlos Apache collect the dues So you bring us something that we can use HERNANDEZ & THE VAMPIRES If you got the balls, then come on, mette mano, If you got the balls, then come on, mette mano, HERNANDEZ Frenchy Cordero goes down the Hell's Kitchen To sell the Irish some weed So this Paddy boy's mother on the stoop starts bitchin' 'Bout spics is a mongrel breed Now here comes her son He looks like a ton of corned beef Floating in beer He says 'Fucking Puerto Rican dope-dealing punk Get your shit-brown ass out of here'. HERNANDEZ & THE VAMPIRES 'Fucking Puerto Rican dope-dealing punk Get your shit-brown ass out of here'. We stand for the neighborhood. HERNANDEZ So the shanty-town Irish they kicked his ass good. Fractured his collar bone Co?, all I was thinging is, 'What home of the brave? This a fucking war zone' THE VAMPIRES If you got the balls, then come on, mette mano, We stand for the neighborhood. If you got cojones, come on, mette mano, We stand for the neighborhood. If you got the balls, then come on, mette mano, We stand for the neighborhood. If you got cojones, come on, mette mano |
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| 6. |
| 4:11 |
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The way you move It's got quality Come on baby, let's go downtown Little girl, you sure look good to me The way you move It's got quality Come on baby now don't be shy Step in the light so I can see The way you move It's got quality GIRLS I want to know Are you my beautiful young boy Or just another love Passing through my life I need to know Will you be my sorrow and my joy And maybe one day soon Will I be your wife. TEEN IDOL Come on baby, Let's rock some more I want to spend my salary The way you move It's got quality SAL Everytime they see me walk down the street They say Co? that boy is fine The way he moves Got quality GIRLS I want to know Are you my beautiful young boy, Or just another love Passing through my life, I need to know Will you be my sorrow and my joy And maybe one day soon Will I be your wife Quiero saber Quiero saber Nadie nunca sabe En la vida TEEN IDOL The way you move It's got quality The way you move It's got quality Lead Vocal-Paul Simon Falsetto Lead Vocal-Frank Negron Background and Duo Vocal-Teana Rodriguez Background and Duo Vocal-Myrna Gomila Background Vocal-Bobby Bright Background Vocal-Sean Pulley Background Vocal-Paul Simon Background Vocal-Trent Sutton Background Vocal-Dionte Sutton Guitar-Wallace Richardson Piano-Paul Griffin Bass-Jay Leonhart Conga, Cowbell-Jimmy Sabater Drums-Richard Crooks Tenor Saxophone-Chris Eminizer Additional Production by Roy Halee |
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| 7. |
| 6:03 |
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I am Esmeralda Agr?, Se?ra. I know I've no right to speak. My son is not the savage boy you see, The cape, the sneer, the slicked-back hair It hides the child I nursed and bathed, Se?ra. Please don't turn your eyes from me Your son, gone to God, and mine to blame My fated son, He too is gone The state will see to that, I am sure, Se?ra The state will see to that, I am sure. 1ST MOTHER You Spanish people, you come to this country Nothing here changes your lives Ungrateful immigrants asking for pity When all of your answers are knives This city makes a cartoon of a crime Capes and umbrellas the glorification of slime I have to face this horror, Se?ra. 2ND MOTHER My religion Asks me to pray for the murderer's soul But I think you'd have to be Jesus on the cross To open your heart after such a loss Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him? No, I cannot Can I forgive him No, I cannot Friends become strangers Compassion is hard to express in words The trembling flowers they bring Fear in the roots and the stem What happened to me they know could happen to them. Can I forgive him No, I cannot Can I forgive him No ESMERALDA Only God can say 'Forgive' His son too received a knife But we go on, we have to live With this cross we call our life 1ST MOTHER Feels like a bomb fell And wave after wave come the aftershocks 2ND MOTHER You can't believe that it's true There must be some mistake You drift through this nightmare from which you can't wake BOTH MOTHERS Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, No, I cannot Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, no, I cannot Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, no, I cannot Can I forgive him No, I cannot. Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Recorded at Paul Simon's home |
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| 8. |
| 3:25 |
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Salvador, the afternoon sunlight is folding around us, The dishes are done, The buildings here, tall as our mountains Slice through the windows and cut off the sun. On such days I find I am longing for Puerto Rico Though I never would return 'til you are free But when I hear the Aguinaldo my heart's a little lighter And we dance together Aurea and me In my life I've been unlucky with two husbands Gumersindo liked his rum and women friends Then that hypocrite who beat you and preached about repentance Has gone, and so another Sunday ends And tomorrow is another hard working Monday I'm still hoping for the raise they promised me There's a job as operator I would not have to wait for If I could speak the language easily But I tell Aurea: The barrio's boundaries are our own little nation Sometimes I hear you run upstairs And I view my light with resignation Keep your bible near you Time is an ocean of endless tears. Mmm. . . Lead Vocal-Ednita Nazario Hi String Guitar-Paul Simon Piano-Oscar Hernandez Acoustic Guitar-Saturnino Laboy Acoustic Guitar-Diomedes Matos Bass-Ruben Rodriguez Cello-Laura Bontrager Flute-Oriente Lopez Bongos, Maracas, Clave-Milton Cardona Orchestral Conductor-Stanley Silverman |
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| 9. |
| 1:51 |
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Killer wants to go to college He wants to get his parole So the Department of Corrections Will release him in the fall Killer wants to go on T.V. Wants to talk about his book Make my life into a movie I got the style, I got the look. VIRGIL This boy used to be on death-row Will his violence return? Will he call out to his mother, 'Mama, you can watch me burn!' INMATE Killer wants to go to college Another bullshit degree Tell the little town of New Paltz 'You ain't got nothin' to be scared about with me' Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Guitar, Harmonica-Harper Simon Guitar-Arlen Roth Bass-Tony Garnier Piano-Horace Ott Drums-Shannon Ford |
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| 10. |
| 5:24 |
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I speak to you in Jesus's name As Jesus speaks through me, The evil we do can't be blamed upon our destiny I have walked through the valley of death-row to the shore I have stumbled through silvery water to my savior, my Salvador! SALVADOR It took me four years to learn I was in prison not in church. And two more to begin the book of my soul's search. SAL & SALVADOR Time is an ocean of endless tears SAL A wild boy from the streets of El Barrio An orphan from the hills of Mayag?z SALVADOR And when I wrote my story The words flew from the page And my soul in solitary Escaped its iron cage. SAL & SALVADOR Time is an ocean of endless tears SAL Mama, I got your letter today The next time that you write I'll be transferred far away. I'm leaving Greenhaven's towers of stone Where the Latin population will soon be minus one. SALVADOR Time is an ocean of endless tears. SAL I know how hard it's been for you these many years, You say the Aguinaldo makes you dream of home Where once we strolled the beach at El Malecon Go back don't you worry, I am your grown-up son. SALVADOR The politics of prison are a mirror of the street. The poor endure oppression The police control the state. Correctional facility That's what they call this place But look around and you will see The politics of race. SAL A forest and a prison Where the snow and guards are white SALVADOR If you want to keep your sanity You'll teach yourself to write. You were a child of sixteen With a twelve-year-old mind You came here numb and battered By the streets I left behind SAL I'll take the evil in me And turn it into good, Though all your institutions Never thought I could So now I'll turn to say goodbye SALVADOR I'll keep your image in my eye SAL & SALVADOR I turn around to say goodbye SALVADOR I'll keep your image with me till the day I die SAL & SALVADOR Time is an ocean of endless tears Lead Vocal-Marc Anthony Lead Vocal-Ruben Blades Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Piano-Oscar Hernandez Guitar-Steve Cropper Guitar-Vincent Nguini Bass-Ruben Rodriguez Conga, Guira-Milton Cardona Drums-Robby Ameen Soprano Saxophone-Bobby Franceschini Flute-Oriente Lopez Bass Clarinet-Pablo Calogero Trumpet-David Rodriguez Flugel-Barry Danielian Trombone-Ozzie Melendez Violin-Krista Feeney Violin-Paul Peabody Viola-Juliet Hafner Cello-Laura Bontrager Horn Arrangement-Oriente Lopez Orchestration-Stanley Silverman |
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| 11. |
| 2:50 |
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I've got a wife, four grown children I can't afford their education I been a prison guard for fourteen years That ain't exactly a vacation WARDEN Since he's been here he's followed every rule Well I told you my position The law says he's got the right to go to school, We abide by the court's decision VIRGIL I got a Winchester 243 I like that gun for deer Upstate November when the air is free Smells like hunting season's here He's the one to keep your eyes on He's smart yeah and he's quiet A troublemaker if I ever seen one Next thing you know it's Attica And we got a prison riot There ain't no way that punk gets his degree And hides behind the Constitution No way in hell that smart ass spic goes free Not while I'm in this institution Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Guitar-Harper Simon Bass-Tony Garnier Guitar-Arlen Roth Drums-Shannon Ford |
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| 12. |
| 2:10 |
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I know you're trying to protect me Searching for another truth With your language and your poetry From my ignorance and youth Hey I did not come to argue My life never made much sense I just wish that I could hug you You're my only defense I don't understand your writing I could barely sign my name All I ever learned was fighting But I'm not the only one to blame The streets were dark with danger I have to stand up for my friends In a land where I'm a stranger And the hatred never ends INMATE Killer wants to go on T.V. [Interview] Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Guitar-Harper Simon Guitar-Arlen Roth Bass-Tony Garnier Drums-Shannon Ford Interviewer-Vic Miles, Courtesy WCBS-TV, 1975 Subject-Salvador Agron |
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| 13. |
| 5:16 |
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A passenger traveling quietly conceals himself With a magazine and a sleepless pillow Over the crest of the mountain the moon begins its climb And he wakes to find he's in rolling farmland The farmer sleeps against his wife He wonders what their life must be A Trailways bus is heading south Into Washington, D.C. A mother and child, the baby maybe two months old Prepare themselves for sleep and feeding. The shadow of the Capitol dome slides across his face And his heart is racing with the urge to freedom. The father motionless as stone, A shepherd resting with his flock, The Trailways bus is turning west- Dallas via Little Rock. WAHZINAK O my darling, darling Sal The desert moon is my witness. I've no money to come East, But I know you'll soon be here LAZARUS We pull into downtown Dallas by the side of the Grassy Knoll Where the leader fell and a town was broken. Away from the feel and flow of life for so many years He hears music playing and Spanish spoken The border patrol outside of Tucson boarded the bus BORDER PATROLMAN Any aliens here? You better check with us, How about you son? You look like you got Spanish blood. Do you 'Habla Ingles,' am I understood? SAL Yes, I am an alien, from Mars. I come to earth from outer space. And if I traveled my whole life You guys would still be on my case You guys would still be on my case LAZARUS But he can't leave his fears behind, He recalls each fatal thrust The screams carried by the wind, Phantom figures in the dust Phantom figures in the dust Phantom figures in the dust. Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Vocal-Sara Ramirez Guitar-Vincent Nguini Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Solo-Arlen Roth Pedal Steel-Robby Turner Bass-Bakithi Kumalo Trumpet-Bill Holloman Accordion-Mike Ramos Fender Rhodes-Oriente Lopez Shaker-Crusher Bennett Drums-Shannon Ford |
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| 14. |
| 3:36 | 
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| 15. |
| 4:59 |
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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 the gang and we were wild He keeps looking but he don't recognize me. Some guy from Lexington or Park Red beans and rice from kitchen windows Supper-time 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. SAL & THE VAMPIRES I was born in Puerto Rico And my blood is Taino Spanish Caribbean my soul SALVADOR We came here wearing summer clothes in winter Hearts of sunshine in the cold Your family rented this apartment You'd watch the street lamps from your perch In the sacramental hour your 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 can testify to all that you've been through But this will. SAL & THE VAMPIRES I was born in Puerto Rico Came here when I was a child. SALVADOR Small change and sunlight, then I left these streets for good. My days as short as they were wild. CARLOS APACHE I'm Carlos Apache ANGEL SOTO Angel Soto FRENCHY CORDERO Frenchy Cordero BABU CHARLIE CRUZ Babu Charlie Cruz SALVADOR 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 SALVADOR Twenty years inside, today you're free. You cannot even read your story The pages piling up in shame Before the words released you, the guard would kill the light The night you took The Capeman for your name. CHORUS 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 LAZARUS Yo nac?en Puerto Rico Yo nac?en Puerto Rico Mi coraz? es Puerto Rico Mi alma es Puerto Rico Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Coro Vocal-Danny Rivera Background Vocal-Ray De La Paz Background Vocal-Nestor Sanchez Piano, Synthesizer-Oscar Hernandez Tres, Plenaro-Nelson Gonzalez Cuatro-Edgardo Miranda Guitar-Vincent Nguini Bass-John Beal Drums-Robby Ameen Bongos, Cymbal-Bobby Allende Timbales, Congas, Cua-Marc Quinones Trumpet-1st solo-David Rodriguez Trumpet-2nd solo-Ray Vega Viola-Juliet Hafner Flute-Oriente Lopez French Horn-Stewart Rose Oboe-Marcia Butler Orchestration-Stanley Silverman |
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| 16. |
| 1:57 |
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I am Esmeralda Agr?, Se?ra. I know I've no right to speak. My son is not the savage boy you see, The cape, the sneer, the slicked-back hair It hides the child I nursed and bathed, Se?ra. Please don't turn your eyes from me Your son, gone to God, and mine to blame My fated son, He too is gone The state will see to that, I am sure, Se?ra The state will see to that, I am sure. 1ST MOTHER You Spanish people, you come to this country Nothing here changes your lives Ungrateful immigrants asking for pity When all of your answers are knives This city makes a cartoon of a crime Capes and umbrellas the glorification of slime I have to face this horror, Se?ra. 2ND MOTHER My religion Asks me to pray for the murderer's soul But I think you'd have to be Jesus on the cross To open your heart after such a loss Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him? No, I cannot Can I forgive him No, I cannot Friends become strangers Compassion is hard to express in words The trembling flowers they bring Fear in the roots and the stem What happened to me they know could happen to them. Can I forgive him No, I cannot Can I forgive him No ESMERALDA Only God can say 'Forgive' His son too received a knife But we go on, we have to live With this cross we call our life 1ST MOTHER Feels like a bomb fell And wave after wave come the aftershocks 2ND MOTHER You can't believe that it's true There must be some mistake You drift through this nightmare from which you can't wake BOTH MOTHERS Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, No, I cannot Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, no, I cannot Can I forgive him? Can I forgive him, no, I cannot Can I forgive him No, I cannot. Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar-Paul Simon Recorded at Paul Simon's home |
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