Breathe

Sigue andando el camino por toda su vida, respira (breathe)
Y si pierdes mis huellas, que Dios te bendiga, respira

This is my street
I smile at the faces I've known all my life
They regard me with pride
And everyone's sweet
They say, "You're going places!"
So how can I say that while I was away, I had so much to hide?

Hey guys, it's me!
The biggest disappointment you know
The kid couldn't hack it, she's back, and she's walkin' real slow
Welcome home

Just breathe
Sigue andando el camino por toda su vida, respira
(Just breathe) y si pierdes mis huellas, que Dios te bendiga, respira

As the radio plays old forgotten boleros
I think of the days when this city was mine
I remember the praise, "Ay, te adoro, te quiero" (te adoro)
The neighborhood waved, and said
"Nina, be brave, and you're gonna be fine" (te quiero, respira)

And maybe it's me
But it all seems like lifetimes ago (respira)
So what do I say to these faces that I used to know?
"Hey, I'm home"?

Mira, Nina (hey)
No me preocupo por ella (they're not worried about me)
(Mira, ahí está nuestra estrella)
They are all counting on me to succeed

(Ella sí da la talla)
I am the one who made it out
The one who always made the grade
But maybe I should have just stayed home (mira, Nina)

When I was a child, I stayed wide awake, climbed to the highest place
On every fire escape, restless to climb (respira)
I got every scholarship, saved every dollar
The first to go to college

How do I tell them why (respira)
I'm coming back home
With my eyes on the horizon?
Just me and the GWB
Asking, "Gee, Nina, what'll you be?"

Straighten the spine
Smile for the neighbors
Everything's fine, everything's cool
The standard reply, "Lots of tests, lots of papers"
Smile, wave goodbye
And pray to the sky, oh God

And what will my parents say? (Nina)
Can I go in there and say (Nina)
"I know that I'm letting you down"?

Nina
Just breathe