HISTORY FOR KIDS

HOORAY FOR HISTORY ~CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

‘Flat as a pancake!’ some proclaimed

‘Round as a ball!’ yet others exclaimed.

Now gather round children and you will hear

of the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria.

In Fourteen Ninety-two we’re told

about an explorer, brave and bold.

Columbus, (an Italian by birth)

tried his best to circle the earth.

With cash from King and Queen of Spain

he ventured forth across the main.

He sought the East Indies by sailing west!

His scheme, the simplest and the best.

Because he thought the world was round

he’d sail out West till the East he found!

The sailors though began to fear

after weeks afloat that the end was near.

They’d surely reach the ocean’s end

for how could the sea cling to a bend?

Through storm and tempest they sailed on

and just when hope was nearly gone -

a jolly tar in the crow’s nest high

called, ‘Land ho Cap’n ! A bird I spy!’

They rushed as one to each ship’s bow

to see the miracle from the prow.

A golden beach with tall palm trees! –

then every man fell to his knees.

As they approached, the land unfurled

and they praised God for his circular World.

‘‘Pepe, the fiddler – Fiddle de dee!

play us a hornpipe .” They shouted with glee.

So the sea shanties rang

and they danced and they sang

overjoyed that they’d found

that Earth really was round