There are three strains
of blood which flow
Within these veins of mine
I know
Tossed by chance
like a throw of dice
On an isle
in paradise.
Its evidence isn’t hard to see
Go ahead take a look at me
With skin that’s brown
or white
or cream
With eyes jet black
brown
or green
Hair that’s blond
black
or ‘fro
It is I
was man’s first rainbow.
Now clearly listen
to my voice
Your ears shall have
no other choice
But to hear a sound so bold
‘twill make you think
‘Tis Spain of old.
Changó, a god from across
the sea
Came to me
chained in slavery
His Africa gave me
drums to play
And this love for freedom
I have today.
The Taino Native is hard to find
you must look between the lines
The lines are those
in the songs I sing
That speak of love
and eternal spring.
So now you see
I’m very sure
That my blood
is very pure
For if you haven’t guessed by now
soy Puertorriqueño
Free and proud.
Originally written in 1971
Published in El Boricua a publication of La Casa de Puerto Rico, June 1994
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