Arroz Con Habichuela

This is not what you think
Don't go throwing yourself
If you didn't learn thoroughly
The key will knock you down

This has its little trick
This is not hit and run
This takes its years, Rafael
To touch as it should

This is not A and B
This goes all the way to Z
This is not mom, dad, and baby
This is the complete lesson

This doesn't come in books
It's not taught in the academy
This is little by little
Then effort is rewarded

Four decades, Gran Combo in the kitchen
Cooking Salsa for the Latin people
(This is not a light salad)
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)

No, it's not a diet light salad
Ask Juan José, who brought the recipe
(This is not a light salad)
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)

It's the cadence of elegant Cuban Son
And the Swing of New York always moving forward
(This is not a light salad)
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)

Flavor, flavor, flavor of the old school
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)
Caribbean Salsa, rumba, plena
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)

It's not learned, not even in the finest academy
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)
In the street, street, street, corner party
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)

I bring sweet syrup, how rich, how tasty the beat
(Rice with beans and root vegetables, that's what there is)
Timbales, bongos, cowbell, conga (That's what there is)
Ingredients for the stew (That's what there is)

Chef Rafael prepares us deliciously (That's what there is)
With firewood and microwave (That's what there is)
The winds are going to play (That's what there is)

Bass and piano accompanying (That's what there is)
It's Gran Combo preparing (That's what there is)
The musical feast (That's what there is)