and evil man... according to Hugo Chavez it seems, and well, he is taking down Mr. Columbus's statues one by one.
It also seems to be the view of a very popular American History textbook, "The People's History of the United States". But, let's not go there tonight.
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.
Ah... how times have changed.... When I was in school we learned this rhyme....
IN 1492
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.
Now it seems the Italians, especially the Genoese brood, are not so impressed with Mr. Chavez'.
Published Date: 28 March 2009
VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez has praised a decision by a city mayor to take down a statue of explorer Christopher Columbus in Caracas.
Chavez said that when Columbus reached the Americas more than five centuries ago he led an invasion that produced a genocide for the indigenous people.
2 comments:
It must be a LI school training ... I too learned that in school! But did not remember the long version!!
I think I will see you in NH next month!
Hey,
Had to update the link....lost the old one.
Yup. See you in NH for the big do. Don't forget that Tuesday is the REAL birthday.
K
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