# The 94th Schoolhouse Rock Appreciation Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 13, 2001, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388 "2001-09-13T17:35:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/21 "2001-09-15T08:58:14Z")
Yep, I remember the Preamble to the Constitution,with that tune,to this day. Thanks a bunch, by the way…now I have an audio seizure going on. (“A noun’s a special kind of word, it’s every name you ever heard, I find it quite interesting, a noun’s a person, place, or thing!”) And I’m remembering those from the 70’s, folks. I haven’t seen any lately. I might buy a set on video, though, since my kid is in second grade and is just getting into grammar. (Multiplication comes next year.) As one last pathetic aside–I’m a pharmacist, and I count big capsules on the counting tray by threes, to the tune from Multiplication Rock. I’m almost 40 years old and I still do it. (3 6 9…12 15 18…21 24 27…(boom)30!) ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/22 "2001-09-15T12:18:59Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\* > Apparently, this was so successful that they made a sequel. It was called “The Trip through Little Red’s Head.” The gimmick was, instead of Timer and his little rugrat companions doing the Fantastic Voyage bit through someone’s internal organs, they were lodged exclusively in Little Red’s brain, and got to see all her psychological states. (“Hurry, the magic dream winds come and go!”)_\* I saw that one too, but it wasn’t nearly as psychotic as the trip inside the Uncle’s (not Grandfather’s) diseased lung “IN LIVING COLOR”! Anyone know if there’s a source for these? > [@](#): > > \*\* > I always hated “Rockin’ and a rollin, splishin’ and a splashin’” because it was **such** an incredibly slanted view of pre-Revolutionary-War American history. What about Salutory Neglect? What about the French and Indian War? What about the role of the British Parliament? And why, for heaven’s sake, did they turn King George the Third from the bumbling statesman he actually was into a cartoon villain evil-father-figure?\*\* :: pouts :: Don’t care. It’s a great tune. The music is _all_ man! Fenris ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/23 "2001-09-15T14:40:11Z")
The music may be all, but we now are faced with an entire nation of people that have learned the Preamble to the Constitution **incorrectly**. The “America Rock” episode on the Constitution’s Preamble has everybody singing: “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union” … whereas the **real** Preamble to the **real** U.S. Constitution starts out: “We the People **of the United States** , in order to form a more perfect Union” Furthermore, the real Preamble does not have the word “then” between “Promote the general Welfare and” and “Secure the Blessings of Liberty”, whereas the song does. These two gaffes could be quite embarrassing, if somebody were, say, taking his U.S. Citizenship test. – **tracer** , providin’ for the common defense. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/24 "2001-09-15T16:44:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*These two gaffes could be quite embarrassing, if somebody were, say, taking his U.S. Citizenship test. > **tracer** , providin’ for the common defense. \*\* But I suspect that any good citizenship examiner who heard someone humming the tune would automatically give the applicant a passing grade. Anyone who learned via Schoolhouse Rock is someone the country _needs_! 🙂 Fenris, promotin’ the general welfare. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/25 "2001-09-15T21:13:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > **Furthermore, the real Preamble does not have the word “then” between “Promote the general Welfare and” and “Secure the Blessings of Liberty”, whereas the song does.** There is no “then” between these two phrases in the song. **mobo85** , securin’ the blessings of liberty. ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/26 "2001-09-15T21:33:12Z")
**mobo** , There is a “then”, to my recollection. But **Tracer** brings up a true problem. To solve it, I hereby propose: _A new constitutional ammendment to change the Preamble to read exactly as the Schoolhouse Rock version._ Well, we might have to wait a few years for the Baby Boomers to die off, but I bet when us “Gen X-ers” (I hate that term) come to power we could pull it off. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2001, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/27 "2001-09-15T22:18:21Z")
Here are the published lyrics to “The Preamble” according to [Schoolhouse Rock](http://www.schoolhouserock.com): > [@](#): > > We the people, > In order to form a more perfect union, > Establish justice, > Ensure domestic tranquility, > Provide for the common defense, > Promote the general welfare and > Secure the blessings of liberty > To ourselves and our posterity, > Do ordain and establish this Constitution, > For the United States of America. Here’s the actual Preamble (from [Cornell Law](http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.preamble.html)): > [@](#): > > We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Same paragraph, word for word. Robin ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/28 "2001-09-16T02:59:57Z")
The difference that **tracer** and **tapswiller** may be hearing is when they sing the word ‘and’ they break it into two syllables (‘a-and’) which kind of makes it sounds like ‘and then’ to some people. We ran across this when we did the show live… some of our actors thought it was ‘and then’ until they read the lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/29 "2001-09-16T16:19:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tapswiller \* > \*\*Well, we might have to wait a few years for the Baby Boomers to die off, but I bet when us “Gen X-ers” (I hate that term) come to power we could pull it off. \*\* Just as long as we don’t have another Vietnam to thin out our ranks a little. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/30 "2001-09-16T17:23:12Z")
> [@](#): > > Just as long as we don’t have another Vietnam to thin out our ranks a little Been watching the news lately? ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/31 "2001-09-21T02:05:13Z")
MsRobyn wrote: > [@](#): > > Same paragraph, word for word. _cough_ _cough_ Even if the “and then” that I heard growing up was really an “a-and”, this does **not** negate the fact that the Schoolhouse Rock Preamble starts with: [ul]We the people, in order to form…[/ul]…while the real Preable starts with: [ul]We the people of the United States, in order to form…[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/32 "2001-09-21T02:15:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*MsRobyn wrote: > > > [@](#): > > > > Same paragraph, word for word. > > _cough_ _cough_ > > Even if the “and then” that I heard growing up was really an “a-and”, this does **not** negate the fact that the Schoolhouse Rock Preamble starts with: > [ul]We the people, in order to form…[/ul]…while the real Preable starts with: > [ul]We the people of the United States, in order to form…[/ul] \*\* Details, details… Robin ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/33 "2001-09-21T02:23:26Z")
We had to take the Constitution test in eighth grade, and write out the Preamble. The whole class was humming. AND, I recall that as we walked into he classroom that day, someone at the head of the line sent a message back: “OF THE UNITED STATES. Pass it on.” I think we all passed. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/34 "2001-09-21T03:54:29Z")
Try my [Schoolhouse Rock]([http://www.funtrivia.com/cgi-bin/qplay.cgi?id=13399&from=94th](http://www.funtrivia.com/cgi-bin/qplay.cgi?id=13399&from=94th) Schoolhouse Rock Appreciation Thread&url=http:%2F%[2Fboards.straightdope.com](http://2Fboards.straightdope.com)%2Fsdmb%2Fshowthread.php?threadid=87001) Trivia Quiz on [http://www.Funtrivia.com](http://www.Funtrivia.com) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/35 "2001-09-21T04:08:20Z")
“Figure Eight” is, without a doubt, the most heartbreaking thing I ever heard on a Saturday morning program. Blossom Dearie’s tentative, menancholy phrasing is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/36 "2001-09-21T04:14:14Z")
You know figure 8 always made me very sad, I don’t really understand why. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/37 "2001-09-21T14:12:30Z")
**AWB** , I am flattered beyond words. I took the quiz, missed all but one of the math questions, none of the other questions, and on the score page, there’s a link to this thread. (It is broken, tho.) Robin ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/38 "2001-09-21T15:04:10Z")
Aargh! And leave us not forget “The Tale of Mr. Morton” (Mr. Morton is the subject of the sentence, and what the predicate says, he does!) Some rap-esque group (Skee-lo?) did a wonderful, haunting remake of Mr. Morton that sent chills up my spine a few years back. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/39 "2001-09-21T22:31:08Z")
Icerigger wrote: > [@](#): > > You know figure 8 always made me very sad, I don’t really understand why. Well, it **is** in a minor key. (Except for that segment in the middle where they rattle off the multiplication table.) ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388/40 "2001-09-22T04:57:19Z")
But I get my _ **thang** _ in action! I always thought that as music Verb has no peer, especially if you subtract out the stupid baseball sequence (even as a young queerling, I knew that you _never_ let a sports metaphor spoil a perfectly good dance song. Some of the History Rocks are truly embarrassing now - think of “Elbow Room,” which nicely glosses over the people who were, um, living here when the settlers “thought they had to get themselves some elbow room.” Or Energy, which bought hook, line and sinker to the then-politically-correct view that the world was running out of energy supplies (dumb then, dumber now). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-94th-schoolhouse-rock-appreciation-thread/81388.md?page=3)