I used to think we lived at the top of the world When the world was just a subway map And the one-slash-nine Climbed a dotted line to my place There’s no nine train now 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? Come with me We begin July With a stop at my corner fire hydrant You would open it every summer! I would bust it with a wrench 'Til my face got drenched 'Til I heard the sirens And then I ran like hell! You ran like hell! Yeah, I ran like hell! I remember well! To your father’s dispatch window “Hey, let me in, yo! They’re coming to get me!” You were always in constant trouble Then your dad would act all snide, but he’d let me hide You’d be there inside Life was easier then 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 Are we going to Castle Garden? 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 Cool us down Welcome back to town Now, back in high school when it darkened You’d hang out in Bennett Park and Usnavi would bring his radio As I walked home from Senior Studies I’d see you rapping with your buddies With the volume high I walked on by You walked on by No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare! Sigue, sigue! No pare sigue! When you’re home Oh, the summer nights are cooler When you’re home! Now that you’re here with me And that song you are ​hearing Is the neighborhood just cheering you along Don’t say that What’s wrong? 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 at Stanford But I’d stare out at the sea Thinking, where’m I supposed to be? So please don’t say you’re proud of me, when I’ve lost my way Then can I say I couldn’t get my mind off you all day Now listen to me! That may be how you perceive 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 I’m home Welcome home When you’re here with me Welcome home I used to think that we lived at the top of the world! Welcome home I’m home You’re finally home You’re home I’m home!