Latin Knights

Esteban sinkin' into the heart of the barrio

He ain't got no money all he got are the clothes that are on his back

Two cigarettes left can't afford a pack

He's been alone since he was about six

That's when his grandmother died, all his mother cared about was turning tricks

If she was ever home she'd just beat him to shit

He wanted to hang out with the boys down on the corner

His grandmother made him promise he'd never do that

She said all that those boys were "oh they're just junkies and killers"

But he was alone so he had to take his promise back

Esteban went to them late one day

He pleaded please help me I got nowhere to stay

And no one to love, and no one loves me

They wanted to help most of them had been there

To hell and back they knew the boy needed a prayer

So they gave him a chance something that he'd never seen

They showed him off to everyone all around the neighborhood

They had him run some shit to prove his loyalty

When he beat up a couple of Flying Dutchmen to help protect Maria

Mother Pedro said, "Son, welcome to our family"

They Christened him Taurito one day in July

When Pedro hugged him, Taurito he started to cry

Nobody had done that since his grandmother was alive

His new sister Maria said she was so proud of him

They fucked all night but it wasn't a sin

He held her and she held him

Hangin' out on rooftops in Washington Heights

His brothers taught him how to shoot and fight

They laughed and drank wine 'til daylight

Acting tough like some street corner matadors

Taurito's brothers taught him how to score

With the downtown junkies and them uptown whores

That's when the trouble started comin' down

The Shamrocks were movin' in from midtown

Taurito on the corner with a 40 in his hand

A .38 in his pocket he was gonna make sure that they understand

That he's a real man

Pedro took him aside and said, "I'm so proud of you

But you got to take cover when they start to shoot

That's what protection's for, son you've never seen a war"

Meet down at the bodega at half past ten

Pedro made sure everyone knew the plan

Before they stab us we gotta shoot them

Fireworks down on the avenue

All the boys they're bracin' for a fight

First shot rings out at midnight

Taurito took two in the back of the head

By the time he hit the ground he was already dead

In a pool of blood, a couple drops added to the flood

Pedro fell to his knees and cried "La Virgin,

Why did You take my baby boy his soul was so clean

Why couldn't You take me?"

A hush fell over Washington Heights

A silence amidst all the hustles and all the street fights

Never again did the moon ever shine as bright

Those crazy Latin Knights