Wake up Angelita, your mama just turned off the light Manolo is already waiting by the old water-pipe Her shoes in one hand she carefully walks down the stairs Holding her breath ’cause there’s danger and love in the air.
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Your papa will beat him if he ever finds out Begging the Virgin won’t help when you hear Manolito shout, Manolito shout He’s already standing under the starlit sky You run to his arms and you laugh and you cry as he holds you tight
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He says he’ll be leaving you soon still you beg him to stay But he wants to make it somewhere in the U.S.A. And though he’ll be far he promises he’ll write every day When time will be right, he’ll come back and he’ll take you away
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Your papa don’t like him, he says he’s no good He steals and he fights and he never behaves, like a young man should Angelita she knows, he’s not that bad inside She takes the medal, she wears on a chain, and presses it into his palm.
Aïe aïe aïe aïe aïe aïe Puerto Rico Aïe aïe aïe aïe aïe aïe Puerto Rico