The West Side of Town
    Tish Hinojosa

Felipe was a young boy when he crossed the Rio Grande
Heading north to Texas where he grew into a man
he fixed cars and worked the wars and raised a family
San Antonio was home on the west side of town.

Young Maria dreamed of singing in a concert hall
Past the plaza and the village church adobe walls
Hard times stole her innocence, but drove her woman's heart
San Antonio bound to the west side of town.

chorus:
She was proud and lived on faith
He was strong in his own way
They were pilgrims who made
A good life the hard way.

Felipe lost his first wife in 1943
Seven growing children and desparately in need
Maria came to look now for work and found her destiny
With one child of her own to the west side of town.

They were married, years went by and we were 13
Days were good, days were bad, but mostly they were lean
School and shoes and food and books, believing in a prayer
God must know his way round on the west side of town.

chorus

We would go to Mexico and Mama she would cry
For the things we'll never know she had to leave behind
Sisters, brothers know too well what memories can do

Coming up when you're down, from the west side of town.
Daddy never owned a house, but built a strong foundation
Mama bought her own damn house with self-determination
They're both gone but I know they're listening to this song
Beneath the San Fernando ground on the west side of town.

chorus