Havana 1958 that's where everybody came
Sailed down from the keys twice a year for a black jack game
At the hotel trocadero we were introduced in a crowded room
Later that night in a dress so tight one kiss and i was gone
And her hair was gleaming
I still believed in dreaming
Viva the revolution because the people were so poor
She wanted a constitution but the people were so poor
There would be no political solution because the people were so poor
When castro came down from the hills
In the country side on her plantation there was sugar cane and rum
At the night we'd drive into the city and act like tomorrow would never come
For peace and justice to the virgin mary she would pray
In the ballroom of the casino we danced while the music played
And our lips would meet
Her breath was so sweet
We were so happy but the people were so poor
We had a lot of money but her people were so poor
Battista loved the yankees but the people were so poor
Then castro came down from the hills
It was new year's eve there was fighting in the streets and i waited as long as i could
Then i caught the last boat out to the keys i should
Have saw it coming because the people were so poor
Fidel was ruthless he was cunning and the people were so poor
I took no pride in running but the people were so poor
When castro came down from the hills
My sweet elena she owns a restaurant in south beach
She's close enough to taste but she's so out of reach
Some days i park on the boulevard and i watched her as she comes and goes
Ah my sweet angel i still love her so
And her hair still gleams
But i don't dare dream
We were so happy but the people were so poor
She didn't come to meet me like she promised and the people were so poor
Elena loved her yankee but her people were so poor
When castro came down from the hills