We were going to see the world

In this land we placed baptismal fonts

And an infinite number were baptized

And they called us Caribe

Which means men of great wisdom

 

Ah, the salvations of souls

But wisdom we had not

For these people had neither king nor lord

And bowed to no one

For they have lived in their own liberty

 

I saw and knew the inconstant shifting of fortune

And now I write to you

Words that have not been written

Words from the New World

 

And the sky opened

And we laid down our armor

And we danced naked as they

Baptized in the rain

Of the New World

                       

                                                       —— Patti Smith "Amerigo"