Paul Simon: Adios Hermanos

(Paul Simon)

SAL
It was the morning of October 6th, 1960
1 was wearing my brown suit
Preparing to leave the house of D.
Shook some hands then acfios Brooklyn amigos
Maybe some of them had hopes of seeing me again
Some even said that my judge-
Judge Gerald Culkin-
Wouldn't play it by the book
Maybe let us off the hook
Rut, WOH-OO-WOH, I knew better.

SAL & SALVADOR
Afraid to ieave the projects
To cross into another neighborhood

SAL
The blancos and the nigger gangs
Well, they'd kill you if they could.

AUREA & WOMEN
Angel of Mercy, people are suffering
All over the world

Spanish children are taught on their knees
to believe
Angel of Mercy, people are suffering
All over the island tonight,
Mothers weep

SAL & AUREA
Sisters grieve.

SAL
Well, I entered the courtroom, state of New York
County of New York, Just some spic
They scrubbed off the sidewalk
Guilty by my dress
Guilty in the press
Let The Capeman burn for the murder
Well the "Spanish boys" had their day in court
And now it was time for some fuckin' law and order
The electric chair
For the greasy pair
Said the judge to the court reporter

SAL & SALVADOR
Afraid to leave the projects
To cross into another neighborhood

SALVADOR
The newspapers and the T.V. crews
Well, they'd kill you if they could

AUREA& WOMEN
Angel of Mercy, people are suffering
Ail over the world
A Spanish boy could be killed every night of
the week

SAL
But just let some white boy die
And the world goes crazy for blood-Latin blood.
I don't lie when I speak.

SAL & SALVADOR
Well they shackled my hands

SAL
A heavy belt around my waist to restrain me

SAL & SALVADOR
And they shackled my legs

SAL
Hernandez, the "Umbrella Man," chained beside me
Then we rode that Black Maria
Through the streets of Spanish Harlem
Calling old friends on the corners

SAL&AUREA
Just to lay our prayers upon them

SAL
Crying
Adios Hermanos. Adios

SAL & SALVADOR
Adios Hermanos, Adios