ANITA
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
GIRLS
I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
BERNARDO
For a small fee in America
ANITA
Buying on credit is so nice
BERNARDO
One look at us and they charge twice
ROSALIA
I’ll have my own washing machine
JUANO
What will you have, though, to keep clean?
ANITA
Skyscrapers bloom in America
ANOTHER GIRL
Cadillacs zoom in America
ANOTHER GIRL
Industry boom in America
BOYS
Twelve in a room in America
ANITA
Lots of new housing with more space
BERNARDO
Lots of doors slamming in our face
ANITA
I’ll get a terrace apartment
BERNARDO
Better get rid of your accent.
ANITA AND THREE GIRLS
Life can be bright in America
BERNARDO
If you can fight in America
ALL GIRLS
Life is all right in America
ALL BOYS
If you’re all white in America
ANITA AND CONSUELO
Here you are free and you have pride
BERNARDO
Long as you stay on your own side
ANITA
Free to be anything you choose
ALL BOYS
Free to wait tables and shine shoes
BERNARDO
Everywhere grime in America
Organized crime in America
Terrible time in America
ANITA
You forget I’m in America
BERNARDO
I think I go back to San Juan
ANITA
I know a boat you can get on
BERNARDO
Everyone there will give big cheer
ANITA
Everyone there will have moved here