In honour of Sir Isaac Newton’s birthday, 25 December 1642, here is a filk song that reminds us of the glories of science and celebrates humanity’s universal role as astronomers.
To be sung to the tune of We Three Kings*
(*With acknowledgement to Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr.)
We are astronomers diverse,
Gazing up at the universe,
Standing under cosmic wonder –
Both awesome and perverse!
Chorus: Oh! Stars bring wonder, stars are bright,
Stars have mass and heat and light.
They strong twinkle, while we wrinkle
They live on in cosmic might!
Gas and fury, they formed the Earth,
From star dust, all life had its birth.
Fire and nova, they watch over
Galaxies, depth and girth.
(Chorus)
Earth is ours, filled with death and war,
Makes us wonder what it’s all for.
Fear and blight, but in starlight
Our potential fills us with awe.
(Chorus)
Stars that birthed us, our history
The whole cosmos our legacy.
Laniakea, Milky Way,
A vista for you and me.
(Chorus)
Astronomers, teach and enthrall,
Scanning skies and heeding their call.
Aiming high, your dreams may fly
Into the skies for us all.
(Chorus)
© 2020 Geoff Allshorn