She walks through Veracruz late in the afternoon
Watching the vendors setting out their cheap souvenirs
A single guitarist plays outside at a small cafe
She takes a seat and waits for Jose to join in the danzon
Here at the Zocalo the old men play dominoes
Singing their Cuban songs of love gone wrong so long ago
He strolls up the avenue in his spotless guayabera
Sits down in the chair next to Maria and she takes his hand
You mean the world to me
That’s what he says
Although Maria’s world is such a small sad place these days
And when the sun goes down as the charanga plays
She holds her Jose close and dances her ghosts away
They met at Carnaval twenty some years ago
She wore a long white dress
He had the kindest eyes
She danced just to pass the time
She stayed when he made her smile
He never asked her any questions so she never lied
I give my heart to you
That’s what she says
But Maria’s heart is such a small sad place these days
And when the sun goes down as the charanga plays
She holds her Jose close and dances her ghosts away
You mean the world to me
That’s what they say
But this old world’s become such a small sad place these days
And when the sun goes down as the charanga plays
They hold each other close and dance the ghosts away
They hold each other close and dance the ghosts away
Down at the Zocalo the old men play dominoes
Singing their Cuban songs of love gone wrong so long ago
