When You’re Home

I used to think we lived at the top of the world

When the world was just a subway map

And the one-slash-nine

Climbed a dotted line to my place

There’s no nine train now

Right

I used to think the Bronx was a place in the sky

When the world was just a subway map

And my thoughts took shape

On that fire escape…

Can you remind me of what it was like

At the top of the world?

Come with me

We begin July

With a stop at my corner fire hydrant

You would open it every summer!

I would bust it with a wrench

Till my face got drenched

Till I heard the sirens

Then I ran like hell!

You ran like hell!

Yeah, I ran like hell!

I remember well!

To your father’s dispatch window

“Hey, let me in, yo!

They’re coming to get me!”

You were always in constant trouble—

Then your dad would act all snide, but he’d let me hide

You’d be there inside—

Life was easier then

Nina, everything is easier

When you’re home…

The street’s a little kinder when you’re home

Can’t you see

That the day seems clearer

Now that you are here or

Is it me?

Maybe it’s just me…

We gotta go I wanna show you all I know

The sun is setting and the light is getting low

Are we going to Castle Garden?

Maybe, maybe not, but way to take a shot, when the day is hot

I got a perfect shady spot

A little ways away that oughta

Cool us down

Cool us down—

Welcome back to town...

Now, back in high school when it darkened

You’d hang out in Bennett Park and

Usnavi would bring his radio…

As I walked home from Senior Studies

I’d see you rapping with your buddies

With the volume high

I walked on by

You walked on by—

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare! Sigue, sigue!

No pare sigue!

When you’re home

Oh, the summer nights are cooler

When you’re home!

Now that you’re here with me…

And that song you are

hearing is the

Neighborhood just

cheering you along—

Don’t say that

What’s wrong?

Don’t say that!

When I was younger, I’d imagine what would happen

If my parents had stayed in Puerto Rico

Who would I be if I had never seen Manhattan

If I lived in Puerto Rico with my people

My people!

I feel like all my life, I’ve tried to find the answer

Working harder, learning Spanish, learning all I can

I thought I might find the answer out at Stanford

But I’d stare out at the sea

Thinking, where’m I supposed to be?

So please don’t say you’re proud of me, when I’ve lost my way

Then can I say:

I couldn’t get my mind off you all day

Now listen to me!

That may be how you perceive it

But Nina please believe

That when you find your way again

You’re gonna change the world and then

We’re all gonna brag and say we knew her when...

This was your home

I’m home—

Welcome home—

When you’re here with me—

Welcome home—

I used to think that we lived at the top of the world!

Welcome home—

I’m home—

You’re finally home

You’re home!

I’m home!