These lyrics are an adaptation of the following quotation from the character of Lazarus Long in Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein:
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, design a building, write a sonnet, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, solve equations, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
I first set these Common Meter lyrics to the Sacred Harp song "Bethel"; the 4-part setting can be found in The Scarèd Harp.
1. |
A human should know how to change a diaper, plan a war, compose a sonnet, set a bone: Let insects specialize! |
2. |
A human should know how to lead, and how to follow, too; design a building, pitch manure: Let insects specialize! |
3. |
A human should know how to solvev
equations, cook a meal give comfort to a dying soul: Let insects specialize! |
4. |
A human should know how to write a program, butcher hogs, to fight well and die gallantly: Let insects specialize! |