I Used to be Brown

I used to just speak Spanish
until I started watchin TV
then Deputy Dog and Sesame Street
they got a hold of me

See, I grew up on a farm
people came there to eat
pickin asparagus, tomatoes and corn
no neighbors across the street

So imagine this kids reaction
when I discovered Dairy Queen
McDonalds and Coke
and that crown they gave you at Burger King

I started goin to school
but few where like me
my lunch in a sack
tortillas with beans

I'd jump off the bus
run down the hill kickin up dust
the kids would be screamin "go Speedy Gonzalez go!"
but that wasn't my last name
it was Sanchez
but to them just the same

I used to be brown
but I've turned kinda white
and it's taken some time
this did not happen overnight

I started dating girls
these strawberry blonds
brunettes with milky white skin
and they inspired my songs

Now though the allure
of chocolate is strong
when I crave vanilla
I see nothing wrong

And I heard, "You're Chicano, Cubano, Latino, Hispano
leave them guedas alone!
Que no vez? Can't you see? They're not like you or me
stick to your own!"

I'm not putting up walls
I'm tearnin em down
there's too much beauty out there
that's left to be found

I used to be brown
but I've turned kinda white
like café con leche
I think it's all right

Because it's not about color
It's not about race
the way someone talks
or the features on their face

It's always been about people
and making real friends
It's about being a spirit
and that never ends

I might drop this body
right here on the ground
disappear like a whisper
less than a sound

And when I come back
who knows what color I'll be
but one thing is for sure
I will always be me