Sal
I speak to you in Jesus's name
As Jesus speaks through me
The evil we do can't be blamed upon our destiny
I have walked through the valley of death-row to the shore
I have stumbled through silvery water to my savior, my Salvador!

Salvador
It took me four years to learn
I was in prison not in church
And two more to begin the book of my soul's search

Sal y salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears

Sal
A wild boy from the streets of El Barrio
An orphan from the hills of Mayagьez

Salvador
And when I wrote my story
The words flew from the page
And my soul in solitary
Escaped its iron cage

Sal y salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears
Sal
Mama, I got your letter today
The next time that you write I'll be transferred far away
I'm leaving Greenhaven's towers of stone
Where the Latin population will soon be minus one

Salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears

Sal
I know how hard it's been for you these many years
You say the Aguinaldo makes you dream of home
Where once we strolled the beach at El Malecon
Go back don't you worry, I am your grown-up son

Salvador
The politics of prison are a mirror of the street
The poor endure oppression
The police control the state

Correctional facility
That's what they call this place
But look around and you will see
The politics of race

Sal
A forest and a prison
Where the snow and guards are white
Salvador
If you want to keep your sanity
You'll teach yourself to write

You were a child of sixteen
With a twelve-year-old mind
You came here numb and battered
By the streets I left behind

Sal
I'll take the evil in me
And turn it into good
Though all your institutions
Never thought I could
So now I'll turn to say goodbye

Salvador
I'll keep your image in my eye

Sal y salvador
I turn around to say goodbye

Salvador
I'll keep your image with me till the day I die

Sal y salvador
Time is an ocean of endless tears