So, in the Free-Ride house we’re pleased as punch that Pluto hasn’t lost its planetary status. (No, we don’t consider the “plutons” lesser planets. Eccentric in their orbits, perhaps, but there’s nothing wrong with that.)
As well, we are pleased that the “tenth planet”, whose local fans call it Xena, will be recognized as a plutonic planet. Indeed, we welcome the other two plutons to the fold.
The only problem is, we’ll be needing a new song.
“Nine planets, fine planets” is a nice little ditty, but now there are twelve. What would we even rhyme with “twelve” in the chorus to an update of the planets song? (“Elf planets” is a non-starter, so don’t even suggest it.) And, the update needs to incorporate information not only on relative distance of each of the twelve from the Sun, but also, one would hope, useful information about the distinguishing marks of plutons vs. classical planets.
The original lyrics are here. Your proposals for updates are welcome in the comments.
This could be fun, but it’s futile, but the winning entry has to use a flexible
format. There’s no point in rhyming “12”. How about “many”? “lots of”?
“piles”?
Plus, ‘elf’ means eleven in Dutch, so that could be confusing for polyglots.
“Planets be Twelve, in Which we Delve”
Mercury is planet number one,
It’s right there close to the Sun.
Then there’s Venus, the planet of love,
Brightest planet in the heavens above.
Earth is planet number three,
It makes a home for you and me.
Mars, the red planet, is number four.
Old man Mars is the god of war.
Dainty Ceres is next, at number five.
Goddess of Corn, when the Romans were alive.
Then there’s Jupiter, number six.
Biggest planet, that gives me kicks.
Saturn really makes me sing,
It’s the one with the beautiful ring.
Uranus and Neptune, nothing between,
Far from the Sun it’s hard to be seen.
Pluto is the next place to go.
It used to be last, but we were wrong you know.
Now there’s Charon and Xena too,
Plenty more to name, for me and you.
Planets be twelve, in which we delve,
So far, in our solar system.
Planets be twelve, in which we delve,
Its sure gettin’ hard to list ’em!
I stand by “eight planets, great planets”. How they can decide that a feeble little rock whose most interesting weather feature is annual nitrogen snow is a planet is beyond me.
It rhymes with orange.
Delve. I come too late with my answer. But I was busy rhyming elsewhere today.
Thomas –
As far as weather goes, isn’t nitrogen snow more interesting than what happens on Mercury? There they get hail the size of small molecules if they’re lucky.
Twelve planets now,
In our Solar System
Twelve Planets now,
See if you can list’em.
********
Pluto’s orbit is far away
We know because of Astronomy.
Charon and Xena, discovered recently,
And there may be more for us to see!
Twelve plants now
In our Solar System.
Tweleve Plants now,
See if you can list ’em!
Swell planets?
Problems include:
1) Slant rhyme. But kids don’t tend to care.
2) Nobody says “swell” anymore!
Dave –
Possibly. Mercury gets interesting years though – 88 days per Mercurian year, 59 days per Mercurian day – and I think that trumps annual nitrogen snow.
Gee willikers, why not?
Planets around here, there are a dozen,
Wait five minutes, they’ll add anozzer ‘un.
Will they add Sedna to make it thirteen?
In a few months they will I’m quite certeen.
I read part of your blog from 2006,
“The only problem is, we’ll be needing a new song.
“Nine planets, fine planets” is a nice little ditty, but now there are twelve. What would we even rhyme with “twelve” in the chorus to an update of the planets song? ”
I need your help, if you can. I think this is the same song I have the words for but have absolutely no idea what the tune is. Any chance you might have an idea?
Thanks,
Kelda