Experiment 45

[bnewman]

This song, written some time ago and recently updated with more gender-inclusive language, imagines Eden as G!d's laboratory, with the archangels as G!d's research assistants. 45 is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters in אדם Adam/human/earthling.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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/ Am - G Am / - G E - / Am C G Am / G - E - /

 

I was working the night shift down in maintenance

After everyone else had gone home,

'Cause we took the day off after we reached Phase 6 —

I thought that I was in the lab all alone.

 

/ " / " / " / C G Am - /

 

Then I heard the sound of voices coming through the wall —

It was Mikey and Gabby and Sam —

And Sam said, "Are we ready?  Who's making the call?"

And Gabby said, "I reckon I am."

 

Then Mike said, "C'mon, this really isn't the time,

And I think we should all get some rest;

But after the weekend, I think you will find

That the prototype is ready to test."

 

When I thought they were gone I snuck down the hall,

Past a sign that said "Lab 45",

And I saw that there was someone in the lab after all,

Because the prototype was clearly alive.

 

There were two of some creature I'd not seen before,

Fast asleep in each other's embrace.

I stepped out of the lab and gently shut the door,

And went quietly back to my place.

 

When the weekend was out, the lab got back into gear,

And the rhythm of the daily grind.

But I turned when I heard Mikey shouting loud and clear,

Giving Sam a little piece of his mind.

 

He said, "The prototypes do only what we tell them to do —

Quite frankly, Sam, the Boss is appalled!

We're certain that, by now, they would have done something new

If that part had been correctly installed."

 

Sam said, "I'll take care of it," and pulled out a tool,

Stepped into the lab and bolted the door.

And Mikey shouted after, "Sammy, don't be a fool,

You know that's not what that component is for!"

 

Sam cried out, "I've got this — I'm just doing my job!"

And it sounded like the start of a fight;

Which is why the whole team was gathered 'round in a mob

When the Boss came by to set things to right.

 

She waved open the door and said, "Now, what's this about?"

Sam answered, "They made a choice."

Then Gabby told the prototypes they'd have to get out —

There was a bit of a crack in her voice.

 

Well, the prototypes reacted like they'd done something wrong,

Like they thought that their doom had been sealed;

But the Boss said "They've been cooped up in the lab for too long;

Now let's see how they perform in the field."