The Rocket
by Shawn Kilburn
Get me some rocket fuel, O I gotta get off this wasted rock Come on board, you koalas and rock badgers Climb on board, you barbarians and viola makers Crawl on board, you ragers and partytowners Hop on board, you malingerers and justicers Spin on board, you dreamlocked fanciers Beard on board, you unlikely worldspinners Meet me on board, my dear sons and daughters
Get that nozzle fixed, go Watch that gauge fill up Bbeam on board, you sad monkeys and maladies Jump on board, you humbugs and vacuumnauts Zep on board, you space vampurs and uneasy riders Scamper on board, you readers and non-readers Sneak on board, you broken-hearted best beloveds Lunge on board, you johnny-jump-ups and susan-spin-aways Meet me on board, my dear sons and daughters
Get that engine running, so Hear that deep thrum fill your heart Cower on board, you braggarts and chest-beaters Heap on board, you weepers and heart breathers Twirl on board, you stardancers and mucklebinders Flip on board, you lonelyhearts and desertminders Love on board, you hidalgos and meistersingers Seek on board, you pirates and xenophiles Meet me on board, my dear sons and daughters
All ready for the countdown, no? Strap in, hold tight, breathe out Search on board, you infonauts and deskjunkys Tap on board, you mountebanks and dreadnoughts Joust on board, you thirsty and unhinged Clamber on board, you cousins and tangents Nap on board, you babies and oldsters Breathe on board, you cravers and hey-down-derry-os Meet me on board, my dear sons and daughters
10... Check the lights, the spanners, the waldos Koala: chew on something new Rock badger: you do exist, transformed by time Barbarian: let fly your beautiful tongue Viola maker: set bow to string Rager: let fly one last time for all your tallyho Partytowner: have all your plates and saucers, forks and knives, hats and tassels? Malingerer: here's a balloon animal Justicer: Nod your head and sleep Dreamlocked fancier: Open your eyes and dream
9... Check the launchpad, the propellant, the cylinders Worldspinner: Cut the thread Sad monkey: Laugh until your tears fall away Malady: Get to know you better Humbug: Here's your hat and stick Vacuumnaut: Screw your helmet to the sticking place Space vampur: Have some wine Uneasy rider: Buckle up Reader: It's time to read the world
8... Check the nozzle, the cooler, the jets of gas Non-reader: Open up and dive on in Broken-hearted best beloved: Here's a loaner heart from me to you Johnny-Jump-Up: Keep on jumping, jump jump jump! Susan-Spin-Away: Keep on spinning, spin spin spin! Braggart: Shhhh, only listen Chest-beater: Strap on the 'plate and so carry on Weeper: Weep on, only smile
7... Check the vanes, the gyros, the radio command receivers Heart Breather: Get that heart right out yer mouth Stardancer: Have some fizz Mucklebinder: Illuminate those blocks and narrows Lonelyheart: Be alone with us Desertminder: Join the caravan, oasis rest Hidalgo: Sharpen your moustachios and grin
6... Check the turbopumps, the inlets, the thrust frames Meistersinger: You know the song we love Pirate: Value what you take and give Xenophile: You're in the right spot; have patience on the rest of us Infonaut: Rest your tired eyes Deskjunky: Set down your 'scrip and walk
5... Check the carriers, the beams, the pedestals. Mountebank: Learn some new tricks Dreadnought: Unbuckle that armor Thirsty: Drink deep and unafraid Unhinged: Katy bar the door!
4... Check the heatsinks, the antennas, the instrumentation Cousin: Blessed be unto you Tangent: We'll meet you on the other side Baby and Oldster: Don't hurry so.
3... Check the lift, the weight, the drag Craver: Taste the honey and let go Hey-down-derry-o: Sing it again
2... Every Mother's Son: You'll get there Every Father's Daughter: You'll get there
1... To All Aboard: Blast Off!