Name of song about the value of elements making up the human body

Question

There is a novelty song about being able to purchase all of the elements to build a human body for something like 95 cents. I remember it as solo, male voice. Acoustic accompaniment, either solo or basic rhythm section -- not a large band, not electric. It's the kind of song Tom Lehrer might have written, but not Tom Lehrer. Best of my memory, the song is from the 50s or maybe 60s. Ring any bells for anyone?

Tetsujin · Answer

There is a Tom Lehrer song The Elements which I think is one confusion.
I found what I was thinking of, which I don't think is what you're looking for, included as an answer mainly just in case anyone else was confused by the same reference.

These are the Things that Make a Man
Iron enough to make a nail,
Lime enough to paint a wall,
Water enough to drown a dog,
Sulphur enough to stop the fleas,
Potash enough to wash a shirt,
Gold enough to buy a bean,
Silver enough to coat a pin,
Lead enough to ballast a bird,
Phosphor enough to light the town,
Poison enough to kill a cow,
Strength enough to build a home,
Time enough to hold a child,
Love enough to break a heart.
― Terry Pratchett, Wintersmith

Name of song about the value of elements making up the human body

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question