Thursday, 17th May, 2012

Charlie Is My Darwin

by Torn Rubbers

'Twas in the year of 'fifty-nine
That Charlie told it clear:
'Tis nought but chance selection, boys,
The reason we are here, oh 

Chorus:
Charlie is my Darwin, my Darwin, my Darwin,
Charlie is my Darwin,
Our one great pioneer.

He sailed the oceans of the Earth
To countries far and near,
He spent his youth in search of truth
A-followin' his idea, oh 

(Charlie is my Darwin  etc.)

Although he'd borne the church's scorn,
He faced 'em without fear.
He spent his wealth and risked his health
To share his Big Idea, oh 

(Charlie is my Darwin  etc.)

And poor old Bishop Wilberforce
So foolish did appear:
With Huxley's guile and Hooker's smile
They raised a mighty cheer, oh 

(Charlie is my Darwin  etc.)

There's poor Lamarck, way off the mark,
And Wallace went astray,
Then Mendel's beans and talk of genes
Saw Charlie win the day, oh 

(Charlie is my Darwin  etc.)

There's Dawkins, Gould and Lewontin
Still arguing the toss,
But none of them would yet deny
That Charlie's still the boss, oh 

(Charlie is my Darwin  etc.)

See also:
Comments:
Patrick L. Tolle
They'll eventually need to update the ballad to deal with behe, demski, and the dolts at discovery institute. Kansas could earn a stanza all its own.
23-Aug-2006 22:36
Catherine Faber
I would love to have the tune to this song.  Is there an mp3 or sheet music available somewhere?
25-Aug-2006 03:31
Philip Woutat
Ms. Faber, the original tune is "Charlie is My Darling" --  you might do a search by that name.  I believe the tune and lyrics were composed/written by Robert Burns, though I won't swear to that.
01-Mar-2007 20:34
Richard Carter, FCD
The original song lyrics were certainly written by Robert Burns. And have you noticed that, if you rearrange the letters of the name 'Torn Rubbers', you get...
01-Mar-2007 21:44
Darrin Griffin, FCD

Seeing as how natural selection is pretty much the opposite of chance, perhaps it might be to our benefit to change "'Tis nought but chance selection" to "'Tis natural selection"? 

 You know, for accuracy and all.  Nonetheless, a great song!

22-May-2007 04:41
Alan Hill

Before I clicked on the required link, the confirmation code was ERETM. I took that as a sign because my favourite fish is Eretmodus cyanostictus one of the Tanganyikan goby cichlids, which is a splendid example of parallel evolution because it looks and swims like a goby.

BTW I have read several of Dr Darwin's books and I have walked round the Sandwalk twice.

 

Alan

18-Oct-2007 23:22
Jane A,M. Jefferies
Where is the music to this ballad?
31-Oct-2007 14:32
Richard Carter, FCD
My mum has the music to Burns's original in an old songbook. The FOCD version is sung to the same tune. I'll try to get a copy of it the next time I visit her.
31-Oct-2007 18:46
Goran Strahija

Dear Sir/Madam

In the Darwinian theory of evolution not never have doubted. For me I can say, individually, that I born "as atheist" or "Darwinist", what you not must be surprised if you knows that my country (Croatia, ex Yugoslavia) belongs to the Eastern Europe. I would like my friends make briefly presentation, about Darwins work. Do exist the possibility that main characteristics his work I get in the form of the PowerPoint. Of course, and I that has been able make, but the creation would last some time, and be afraid that somewhere do not make a mistake). thank you (forgive because of my bad English) Goran Strahija, Croatia

09-Jan-2008 09:34
Torn Rubbers

By popular demand, an extra optional verse:

There's Dumb-ski, Behe and Collins tooHave somehow lost the plotThey can't conceive (or won't believe)That Charlie joined the dots...oh...etc.

28-Nov-2008 11:36
Bonita Rolletta

Charlie is my Darwin!

31-Dec-2008 17:40
Evelyn T. Fitzsimmons

Charlie is my Darwin.

21-Jan-2009 17:58
Evelyn T. Fitzsimmons

I am a Freethinker living in the buckle of the Bible Belt. Adding FCD  after my name gives me an Evolutionary leg up.

21-Jan-2009 18:02
Partha P.Biswas

Charlie is my Darwin

24-Jan-2009 06:29
Chris Dunford

Good stuff!  Makes me realize how much reading I have ahead of me!

15-Feb-2009 17:08
Matthew Shoun, FCD

Charlie is my Darwin! Thank God for Natural Selection ;)

30-Dec-2009 04:22
Adriana Giannini

Darwin was great and Mendel too. It was a pity they did not meet!

04-Jan-2010 13:59
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