Astronaut

Performed by Bob Arnold
Recorded 1961
Written by Joe Sauter

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
(blast off sounds)
I'm an ordinary member of the human race
I don't wanna be no pioneer in outer space
Yet here I am the most unwilling hero you can find
Who needs to be an astronaut, what am I, out of my mind?

I was just a simple country boy who wanted to enlist
The draft board never told me that I'd end up like this
The sergeant asked for volunteers to take a trip in June
How was I to know he meant a rocket to the moon?

I wonder if this is one of them do-it-yourself jobs?

They shipped me to a hospital and gave me lots of tests
The competition sure was rough, but I gave my very best
So when it all was over, I was mad as I could be
How'd you like comin' in third behind a mouse and chimpanzee?

And I repeat, r-e-p-e-a-t

I'm an ordinary member of the human race
I don't wanna be no pioneer in outer space
Yet here I am the most unwilling hero you could find
Who needs to be an astronaut, what am I, out of my mind?

Well if them Russians can do it, so can I

The scientists they the moon is half a million miles away
I hope this dog-gone chicken coop don't start to go astray
I ain't the kind who likes to fuss I ain't the type to squawk
But if this thing runs out of gas I can't get out and walk

And I repeat, r-e-p-e-a-t

I'm an ordinary member of the human race
I don't wanna be no pioneer in outer space
Yet here I am the most unwilling hero you could find
Who needs to be an astronaut, what am I, out of my mind?

[lyrics transcribed by listening. Send corrections via the contact link on the main page]