That Summer

Simon-Walcott 

  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 
  It's 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. 

  I was born in Puerto Rico 
  And my blood is Taino 
  Spanish Caribbean 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 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. 

  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 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 
  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.