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 y SALVADOR

Time is an ocean of endless tears



SAL

A wild boy from the streets of El Barrio

An orphan from the hills of Mayagez



SALVADOR

And when I wrote my story

The words flew from the page

And my soul in solitary

Escaped its iron cage.



SAL y 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 Aguinaldo makes you dream of home

Where once we strolled the beach at El 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 batter