Lyrics When You're Home - Mandy Gonzalez

NINA: I used to think we lived at the top of the world
When the world was just a subway map
And the 1/9 climbed a dotted line to my place
BENNY: There's no 9 train now
NINA: 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
BENNY: Come with me!
We begin July with a stop at my corner fire hydrant
NINA: You would open it every summer
BENNY: I would bust it with the wrench 'til my face got drenched
'Til I heard the sirens and then I ran like hell
NINA: You ran like hell
BENNY: Yeah, I ran like hell!
NINA: I remember well
BENNY: Your father's dispatch window, "hey let me in yo, they're coming to get me!"
NINA: You were always in constant trouble
BENNY: And then your dad would act all snide, but he'd let me hide, you'd be there inside
NINA: Life was easier then
BENNY: 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
NINA: Are we going to Castle Garden?
BENNY: 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
NINA: Cool us down-
BENNY: Welcome back to town!
NINA: Now back in high school when it darkened, you'd hang out in Bennett Park and-
BENNY: Usnavi would bring his radio-
NINA: As I walked home from senior studies, I'd see you rapping with your buddies
BENNY: Volume high
NINA: I walked on by
BENNY: You walked on by
No Pare! Sigue, Sigue!
BENNY: When you're home, the summer nights are cooler, when you're home
NINA: Now that you're here with me
BENNY: And that song you are hearing, is the neighbourhood just cheering you along
NINA: Don't say that
BENNY: What's wrong?
NINA: 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 in Stanford
But I'd stare out at the sea thinking where'm I 'sposed to be?
So please don't say you're proud of me when I've lost my way.
BENNY: Then can I say
I couldn't get my mind of you all day
Now listen to me, that may be how you percieve 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
NINA: I'm home
BENNY: Welcome home!
NINA: When you're here with me
BENNY: Welcome home!
NINA: I used to think we lived at the top of the world
BENNY: Welcome home!
NINA: I'm home
BENNY & NINA: You're finally home! I'm home!