Breathe - 'In The Heights' Original Broadway Company, Mandy Gonzalez

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…

Just breathe—

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,»

The neighborhood waved, and

Said, «Nina, be brave and

You’re gonna be fine!»

And maybe it’s me

But it all seems like lifetimes ago

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, allí esta 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…

When I was a child I stayed wide awake

Climbed to the highest place

On every fire escape

Restless to climb

I got every scholarship

Saved every dollar

The first to go to college

How do I tell them why

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?

Can I go in there and say

«I know that I’m letting you down…»

(Mira Nina)

Just breathe…