Wernher Von Braun Lyrics - That Was The Year That Was - Tom Lehrer

And what is it that put America in the forefront of the nuclear nations? and what is it that will make it possible to spend 20 billion dollars of your money to put some clown on the moon? well, 

it's good old American know-how, that's what. as provided by good old Americans like Dr. Wernher von Braun. 

Gather round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun, 

A man whose allegiance 

Is ruled by expedience. 

Call him a Nazi, he won't even frown. 

"ha, Nazi sch-mazi," says Wernher von Braun. 

Don't say that he's hypocritical, 

Say rather that he's apolitical. 

"once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down? 

That's not my department," says Wernher von Braun. 

Some have harsh words for this man of renown, 

But some think our attitude 

Should be one of gratitude, 

Like the widows and cripples in old London town 

Who owe their large pensions to wernher von braun. 

You too may be a big hero, 

Once you've learned to count backwards to zero. 

"in german or in english I know how to count down, 

And I'm learning Chinese," says wernher von braun.