Born In Puerto Rico

I was born in Puerto Rico We came here when I was a child Before I reached the age of 16 I was running with a 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 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 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 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 Wiltwych School for Criminal Children Auburn, Brooklyn House of D Dannemora, Sing-Sing, Attica, Greenhaven 20 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 I was born in Puerto Rico I was born in Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico, 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