I Like To Be In 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, O.K. 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.

Puerto Rico you lovely island

Island of tropical breezes always the pineapples growing,

Always the coffee blossoms blowing

Puerto Rico you ugly island 

Island of tropic diseases. always the hurricanes blowing,

Always the population growing  and the money owing,

And the babies crying and the bullets flying.

I like the island Manhattan smoke on your pipe and put that in!

I like to be in America O.K. by me in America!

Everything free in America for a small fee in America!

I like the city of San Juan.

I know a boat you can get on.

Hundreds of flowers in full bloom.

Hundreds of people in each room!

Automobile in America, chromium steel in America,

Wire-spoke wheel in America, very big deal in America!

I'll drive a Buick through San Juan.

If there's a road you can drive on.

I'll give my cousins a free ride

How you get all of them inside?

Immigrant goes to America many hellos in America;

Nobody knows in America Puerto Rico's in America!

I'll bring a T.V. to San Juan.

If there a current to turn on!

I'll give them new washing machine.

What have they got there to keep clean?

I like the shores of America comfort is yours in America!

Knobs on the doors in America wall-to-wall floors in America!

When I will go back to San Juan.

When you will shut up and get gone?

Everyone there will give big cheer!

Everyone there will have moved here!