And what is it that put America in the forefront of the nuclear nations? And what is it that will make it possible to spend twenty billion dollars of your money to put some clown on the moon? Well, it was good old American know how, that's what, as provided by good old Americans like Dr. Wernher von Braun!

Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun,
A man whose allegiance
Is ruled by expedience.
Call him a Nazi, he won't even frown,
"Ha, Nazi, Schmazi," says Wernher von Braun.

Don't say that he's hypocritical,
Say rather that he's apolitical.
"Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down?
That's not my department," says Wernher von Braun.

Some have harsh words for this man of renown,
But some think our attitude
Should be one of gratitude,
Like the widows and cripples in old London town,
Who owe their large pensions to Wernher von Braun.

You too may be a big hero,
Once you've learned to count backwards to zero.
"In German oder English I know how to count down,
Und I'm learning Chinese!" says Wernher von Braun.


Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84

Wernher Von Braun Lyrics as written by Tom Lehrer

Lyrics © Public Domain

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Wernher von Braun song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    Song about Wernher Von Braun. If you actually read up on the guy, the song is a good description of him. He didn't set out to hurt people, but when he needed to for his research, his attitude was "to hell with the people". He selected slave labourers from death camps in germany to use, he didn't give a damn when his V2 rockets were killing civilians, all he cared about was his work. He escaped to America only because he thought the russians were gonna kill him. Had the russians captured him, he would have worked for them. He would have worked for anyone. So this song is very accurate.

    "Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down/That's not my department says Wernher Von Braun.

    Occams_Harmonyon May 09, 2006   Link

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