Born In Puerto Rico (Original Broadway Cast) - Ruben Blades

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 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 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 (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

Welcome, dear friends, to our contest The first that this kingdom has ever seen! We gather today for a vocal display So our prince may at last choose a queen! (Spoken) These six princesses possess the most accomplished voices in all the land! Tonight, one of you will go home with the crown! May the best woman win! PRINCESS 1: Listen to me Don't I sound rich? Loud, am I not? Plus, I've got perfect pitch Wouldn't you think I'm the girl The girl who has everything? PRINCE ERIC (spoken): That's not her voice. I'll know it the moment I hear it— PRINCESS 2: Listen to this Clear as can be! You'll know I'm it When I hit my high C! Ah! PRINCESS 3: Wouldn't you think I'm the girl The girl who has everything? Everything! Everything... PRINCESS 4: I'm a world-famous coloratura! PRINCESS 5: My vibrato is second to none! PRINCESS 6: I'm a walking display of bravura! It's so clear... Can't you hear? PRINCESS 5: I'm the one! PRINCESS 4: I'm the one! PRINCESSES 3 and 6: I'm the one! I'm the one!

Les poissons, les poissons How I love les poissons Love to chop and to serve little fish First, I cut off their heads Then I pull out their bones Ah mais oui, ca c'est toujours délice Les poissons, les poissons Hee hee hee, haw haw haw With a clever I hack them in two I pull out what's inside And I serve it up fried God, I love little fishes, don't you? Here's something for tempting the palate Prepared in the classic technique First, you pound the fish flat with a mallet Then, you slash through the skin Give the belly a slice Then you rub some salt in 'Cause that makes it taste nice Zut alors, I have missed one! Sacre bleu, what is this? How on earth could i miss Such a sweet little succulent crab Quel Domage, what a loss Here we go, in the sauce Now some flour I think just a dab Now I stuff you with bread It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead! And you're certainly lucky you are 'Cause it's gonna be hot in my bug silver pot! Tout aloo mon poisson Au revoir

Blades We move in our finest Blown where the winds guided We move where we want Yeah we move silent No border beyond the island Don't delay if you're ready Come on over don't wait Elevate holding steady Gotta keep it on raise We go higher when it's heavy Then we make a sky blade We move in deeper each day Far beyond the sun One love sea sister Fire below oceans Islands that love becomes You move with such finesse Close but can we keep balance? We fly where want On to the sky palace All color beyond the vibrant Far beyond the sun One love sea sister Fire below oceans Islands that love becomes No border beyond the island Don't delay skies await All color beyond the vibrant Oceans wake suns ablaze