America

Puerto Rico
My heart's devotion
Let it sink back in the ocean
Always the hurricanes blowing
Always the population growing
And the money owing
And the sunlight streaming
And the natives steaming
I like the island Manhattan
Smoke on your pipe and put that in.

I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
For a small fee in America.

Buying on credit is so nice
One look at us and they charge twice
I'll have my own washing machine
What will you have, though, to keep clean?
Skyscrapers bloom in America
Cadillacs zoom in America
Industry boom in America
Twelve in a room in America.

Lots of new housing with more space
Lots of doors slamming in our face
I'll get a terrace apartment
Better get rid of your accent
Life can be bright in America
If you can fight in America
Life is all right in America
If you're all white in America
Here you are free and you have pride.

Long as you stay on your own side
Free to be anything you choose
Free to wait tables and shine shoes.

Everywhere grime in America
Organized crime in America
Terrible time in America
You forget I'm in America.

I think I go back to San Juan
I know a boat you can get on
Everyone there will give big cheer
Everyone there will have moved here.