Tekst: Stephen Sondheim / Muziek: Leonard Bernstein
(1961)
Anita: Puerto Rico, my heart’s devotion
Let it sink back in the ocean
Always the hurricanes blowing
Always the population growing
And the money owing
And the sunlight streaming
And the natives steaming
I like the island Manhattan
Girl: I know you do
Anita: Smoke on your pipe and put that in
Girls: I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Ev’rything free in America
Bernardo: For a small fee in America
Anita: Buying on credit is so nice
Bernardo: One look at us and they charge twice
Girl: I have my own washing machine
Boy: What will you have though to keep clean
Girl: Skyscrapers bloom in America
Cadillac zoom in America
Industry boom in America
Boys: Twelve in a room in America
Anita: Lots of new housing with more space
Bernardo: Lots of door slamming in our face
Anita: I’ll get a terrace apartment
Bernardo: Better get rid of your accent
Girl: Life can be bright in America
Boys: If you can fight in America
Girls: Life is alright in America
Boys: If you’re all white in America
Girls: Here you are free and you have pride
Boys: Long as you stay on your own side
Girls: Free to be anything you choose
Boys: Free to wait tables and shine shoes
Bernardo: Everywhere crime in America
Organized crime in America
Terrible time in America
Anita: You forget I’m in America
Bernardo: I think, I’d go back to San Juan
Anita: I know a boat you can get on
Girls: Bye bye
Boys: Uh huh
Bernardo: Everyone there will give big cheer
Anita: Everyone there will have moved here