When You're Home Lyrics by Nina, Benny, Company

NINA
I used to think we lived at the top of the world
When the world was just a subway street map
And the 1 slash 9 climbed a dotted line to my place

BENNY
There's no 9 train now

NINA
Right
I used to think the Bronx was a place in the sky
When the world was just a subway map
And my thoughts took shape

NINA/BENNY
On that fire escape

NINA
Can you remind me of what it was like
At the top of the world?

BENNY
Come with me
We begin July with a stop at my corner fire hydrant

NINA
You would open it every summer

BENNY
I would bust it with a wrench till my face got drenched
Till I heard the sirens
Then I ran like hell

NINA
You ran like hell

BENNY
Yeah I ran like hell

NINA
I remember well

BENNY
To your father's dispatch window,
"Hey, let me in, yo
They're coming to get me!"

NINA
You were always in constant trouble-

BENNY
Then your dad would act all snide
But he let me hide
You'd be there inside

NINA
Life was easier then

BENNY
Nina, everything is easier when you're home
The street's a little kinder
When you're home
Can't you see
That the day seems clearer
Now that you are here or is it me
Maybe it's just me
We gotta go I gotta show you all I know
The sun is setting and the light is getting low

NINA
Are we going to Castle Garden?

BENNY
Maybe, maybe not, but way to take a shot, when the day is hot
I got a perfect shady spot a little ways away that oughta cool us down

NINA
Cool us down-

BENNY
Welcome back to town

NINA
Now, back in high school when it darkened
You'd hang out in Bennett Park and

BENNY
Usnavi would bring his radio...

NINA
As I walked home from Senior Studies
I'd see you rapping with your buddies

BENNY
With the volume high

NINA
I walked on by

BENNY
You walked on by-

RAPPERS
No pare, sigue sigue! (x7)

BENNY/COMMUNITY
When you're home

BENNY
Oh, the summer night are cooler

BENNY/COMMUNITY
When you're home

NINA
Now that you're here with me

BENNY
And that song you're hearing is the neighborhood just cheering you along

NINA
Don't say that

BENNY
What's wrong?

NINA
Don't say that!
When I was younger I'd imagine what would happen if my parents had stayed in Puerto Rico
Who would I be if I had never seen Manhattan
If I lived in Puerto Rico with my people?
My people...
I feel like all my life I've tried to find the answer
Working harder, learning Spanish, learning all I can
I thought I might find the answers out at Stanford
But I'd stare out at the sea
Thinking, Where am I supposed to be?
So please don't say you're proud of me, when I've lost my way

BENNY
Then can I say:
I couldn't get my mind off you all day
Now listen to me
That may be how you perceive it
But Nina please believe that when you find your way again
You're gonna change the world and then
We're all gonna brag and say
We knew her when
This was your home

NINA
I'm home-

BENNY
Welcome home-

NINA
When you're here with me-

BENNY
Welcome home-

NINA
I used to think we lived at the top of the world

BENNY
Welcome home-

NINA
I'm home-

(at the same time)
BENNY
You're finally home-
You're home!

NINA
I'm home
I'm home