Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets
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Public-domain lyrics

Hail, Chemistry

Tom Lehrer

A solemn salute to chemistry reveals that the praise is coming from chemistry's own admirers.

Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets Text 10 Undated text
Public domainCampusScienceSatireWryCeremonial
Complete public-domain lyrics

The sheet identifies this miniature as part of The Physical Revue (1951) and credits the musical setting to Arthur Sullivan's Hail, Poetry from The Pirates of Penzance. Lehrer's eight-line replacement text turns a grand tribute into a small joke about self-regard. The repeated It's us lines are both present; the catalog reproduces only the words.

Verse 1

Hail, Chemistry!

We can't ignore

The truth that you're looked up to for.

Verse 2

Hail, Chemistry!

We can't deny

It's us

It's us

Whom you're well thought of by.

Credits

Written by Tom Lehrer

Words by Tom Lehrer, released into the public domain by the author. This is the author-published text edition, not a transcription of a particular performance.

Source & text edition

Author-published lyric sheet · original English words

Tom Lehrer's November 26, 2022 declaration relinquishes copyright in lyrics he wrote. It does not grant rights to third-party music, photographs or album artwork. This edition uses only his words.

Read the author’s lyric sheet (PDF)

View copyright evidence · Author’s public-domain declaration

Retrieved 2026-09-08. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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