San Andrés

Cradled in the mountains
Between Hato and Antalá
Is San Andrés, my hometown
My beautiful native land

Next to it, like time
The Guaca flows on by
Taking away, unintentional
The kindness of my heritage

The big house, the grandparents
My childhood and its freedom
And filled with hopes
My youth passed by

Narrow alleys of old eaves
Tight to keep
Promises and vows
In the shade of its peace

Window where one night
Cried out of happiness
The beautiful girl from San Andrés
That I can't forget

San Andrés, sweet homeland
I wish to return again
To the peace of your eaves
And the silence of your temple
To the childish joy
Of school and college
To the ringing of bells
Dusting off my memories

To wander like I used to
Your dusty paths
Paths to the lagoon
Where I go in my dreams

Lagoon of the Ortices
Pride of San Andrés
Haven of peace and shelter
That serves as a mirror to God
I will return someday
Tired of walking
To seek under your sky
My childhood and my identity

I’ll go back to Pangote
To look again
At the landscapes of your fields
The plowed land and the wheat

And from the humble little house
The smoke that spirals up
Is the prayer of the farmer
That wants to reach God

Lagoon of the Ortices
Earthly paradise
Smell of honey from the mills
Fruit trees, sugarcane

I’ll see the green serpent
That has been its faithful guardian
To tell it that I’ve returned
And that I’m here to stay