It Won't Be Long Now

[VANESSA]

The elevated train by my window

Doesn’t faze me anymore

The rattling screams don’t disrupt my dreams

It’s a lullaby, in its way

The elevated train drives everyone insane

But I don’t mind, oh no

When I bring back boys they can’t tolerate the noise

And that’s okay, 'cause I never let them stay

And one day, I’m hoppin’ that elevated train and I’m riding away!

It won’t be long now!

The boys around the way holler at me when I’m walking down the street

Their machismo pride doesn’t break my stride—

It’s a compliment, so they say

The boys around the way holler at me every day but I don’t mind, oh no

If I’m in the mood, it will not be with some dude

Who is whistling 'cause he has nothing to say

Or who’s honking at me from his Chevrolet!

And one day… I’m hoppin’ in a limousine and I’m driving away!

It won’t be long now!

(spoken)

Ay, Usnavi, help! SOS!

[USNAVI]

Good morning, Vanessa!

If it isn’t the loveliest girl in the place...

[VANESSA]

You’ve got some schmutz on your face

[SONNY]

Good morning!

[SONNY/USNAVI]

Good morning!

[USNAVI]

Vanessa!

[SONNY]

Vanessa!

[USNAVI/SONNY]

Vanessa!

[DANIELA, spoken]

VANESSSSSAAAAAA! I’m thirsty, coño!

[VANESSA, spoken]

Can I get a Pepsi and some packing tape?

[SONNY, spoken]

Uh, my cousin over there with his tongue hanging out, has been meaning to ask you…

[VANESSA, spoken]

Yes?

[SONNY, spoken]

What a lady such as yourself might be doing tonight?

[VANESSA, spoken]

Does your cousin dance?

[SONNY, spoken]

Like a drunk Chita Rivera.​

[VANESSA, spoken]

Okay… After Nina’s dinner, we can hit a few clubs and check out the fireworks…

[USNAVI]

Oh snap! Who’s that?

Don’t touch me, I’m too hot! Yes!

Qué pasó? Here I go!

So dope! Y tu lo sabes!

No pare

[SONNY/USNAVI]

Sigue sigue!

[USNAVI]

Did you see me?

[SONNY/USNAVI]

Freaky freakit!

[USNAVI]

What a way to begin the weekend

Sonny, anything you want is free, man!

And my dearly beloved Dominican Republic

I haven’t forgotten

[SONNY/USNAVI]

You!

[USNAVI]

Gonna see this honey, make a little money

And one day I’ll hop Jet

[SONNY/USNAVI]

Blue!

[USNAVI]

But until that fateful day, I’m grateful

I got a destination

I’m runnin’ to make it home

And home’s what Vanessa’s runnin’ away from!

I’m runnin’ to make it home

And home’s what Vanessa’s runnin’ away from…

[VANESSA]

The neighborhood salon is the place I am working for the moment

As I cut their hair, ladies talk and share—

Every day, who’s doin' who and why...

The neighborhood salon doesn’t pay me what I wanna be making but I don’t mind

As I sweep the curb I can hear those turbo engines blazing a trail through the sky

I look up and think about the years gone by

But one day—I’m walkin’ to JFK and I’m gonna fly!

It won’t be long now!

Any day...

• Artist:In the Heights (Musical)
• Album:In The Heights