Paul Simon: Time Is An Ocean

(Paul Simon)

SAL
I speak to you in Jesus's name
As Jesus speaks through me,
The evil we do can't be blamed upon our destiny
I have walked through the valley of death-row to
the shore
I have stumbled through silvery water to my savior
my Salvador!

SALVADOR
It took me four years to learn
I was in prison not in church.
And two more to begin the book of my soul's search

SAL & SALVADOR
Time is an ocean of endless tears

SAL
A wild boy from the streets of El Barrio
An orphan from the hills of Mayaguez

SALVADOR
And when I wrote my story
The words flew from the page
And my soul in solitary
Escaped its iron cage.

SAL & SALVADOR
Time is an ocean of endless tears

SAL
Mama, I got your letter today
The next time that you write I'll be transferred
far away.
I'm leaving Greenhaven's towers of stone
Where the Latin population will soon be
minus one.

SALVADOR
Time is an ocean of endless tears.

SAL
I know how hard it's been for you these many years,
You say the Agulnaldo makes you dream of home
Where once we strolled the beach at Et Malecon
Go back don't you worry, I am your grown-up son.

SALVADOR
The politics of prison are a mirror of the street.
The poor endure oppression
The police control the state.

Correctional facility
That's what they call this place

But look around and you will see
The politics of race.

SAL
A forest and a prison
Where the snow and guards are white

SALVADOR
If you want to keep your sanity
You'll teach yourself to write.

You were a child of sixteen
With a twelve-year-old mind
You came here numb and battered
Ry the streets I left behind

SAL
I'll take the evil in me
And turn it into good,
Though all your institutions
Never thought I could
So now I'll turn to say goodbye

SALVADOR
I'll keep your image in my eye

SAL & SALVADOR
I turn around to say goodbye

SALVADOR
I'll keep your image with me till the day I die

SAL & SALVADOR
Time is an ocean of endless tears