The Anthropology Song: A little bit Anthropologist
Posted on February 20th, 2010 by admin
**November 21st**
This song is dedicated to all anthro-enthusiasts (lay and pro), and especially to my own students, and the current students of my own first introductory Anthropology professor at the University of British Columbia — who are a very fortunate bunch. I can only hope that you enjoy and appreciate that class and prof as much as I did! And that anthro continues to inspire you throughout your life, wherever it may take you 
The line about Anthro professors all being kinda crazy I will specifically dedicate to that (nameless) prof, who has continued to inspire me towards craziness ever since that first class back in 2004.
*
If you leave a comment, especially if you’ve watched this in a class, I’d love to know where/what school you’re from.
Interview with Lorenz Khazaleh: http://www.antropologi.info/blog/anthropology/2009/the-anthropology-song-interview-with-dai-cooper **
The chords are super simple: Am, C, G, D. Feel free to learn it, play it, reappropriate it, share it, and add your own verses! Also, any video responses are welcome.
Also, I’ll be playing this song at the AAA meeting in December. Kinda incredible, eh?
I graduated with a BA in Anthro and Religious Studies in May ‘09 from the University of British Columbia – now doing a Masters in Anthro at U of Toronto, Canada.
***
Lyrics:
Hey Mom & Dad, I’ve got to come out and say,
I’ve got to tell you, it’s the only way
Something I’ve learned about myself since I was away (at college)
I really think that I might be a little bit — of an Anthropologist
Mom & Dad, I’ve been led astray,
I’ve been experimenting with archaeolog(a)y
On an excavation, tried C-14 dating
And ground penetrating radar for the first time — (if you know what I mean)
I see the visions in your head of me digging up dino bones
Or do I study insects in a laboratory all alone?
But I’m just looking for the story of our people as a whole
Wanting to learn about and understand all cultures as our own …
[Chorus]
The World seems to increasingly need, Anthropology
Now we’re exploring, asking Who Why and How we be People
The difference between us, is not so much
Tell me your story, your piece of what is Humanity.
Mom & Dad, I think you should know,
I do fieldwork, everywhere I go
I want to travel, see Peru and Vietnam
My heroes are Margaret Mead and Barack Obama’s mom
– (did you know she was an Anthropologist?)
If you think of natives on an island painted up singing war songs
It’s misleading though historically you’re not totally wrong
But you can do Anthropology reading graffitied bathroom stalls
Or in a war zone … or a December shopping mall.
Then there’s Linguistics — I think that’s how we use our tongues;
Physical Anthro says what body parts we all have in common,
You can even study monkeys, I hear that part’s really fun
All these fields tell us part of what it means to be human …
[Chorus]
Hey Mom & Dad, it wasn’t how you raised me.
Anthro professors, they’re all kinda crazy
Got their agendas, trying to recruit our P-O-Vs
Deep down inside they’re all in love with — Malinowski
At the same time, I think it’s what my heart has always known
Do you remember Hallowe’en when I was Indiana Jones?
The other kids they stopped coming around, I had to play alone
I guess they didn’t like my kinship charts, of all their homes.
Some cross-cultural connexions might just help us all relate
Misunderstanding’s at the root of so much global hate
How many wars, metaphors or literally,
Could be avoided if the world was “us”, instead of “you” and “me”?
[Chorus] x2
****
Duration : 0:4:32
[youtube LHv6rw6wxJY]
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
i stumbled upon …
i stumbled upon this randomly but i love it! great job, you’re very creative!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
In anycase …
In anycase Copyright Baby
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Love it: AMERICAN …
Love it: AMERICAN IDOL MUCH!!: You Have to make an LP of this song. Alone the single sold on ITunes would pay all you travel exspenses for 20 years
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
your room is really …
your room is really pretty, slightly off topic, but I just had to let you know
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
oh my god your are …
oh my god your are amazing
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
That was super …
That was super clever. Thanks for your spirit in it all!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Wow! This song is …
Wow! This song is great! I loooove it!
Every word is true!!!!!
I’m an Anthropology student, too.
“The differences within one culture are bigger than the differences between different cultures” is what I learned in my first semester…
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Very cool! the …
Very cool! the subect matter is creative and cleverly delivered but i especially like the chorus on a melodic/musical level. Good Work
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I’m an Anthropology …
I’m an Anthropology student and I love this song!!!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
“tell me your story …
“tell me your story, your piece of what is humanity”
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Im glad there are …
Im glad there are people who are still so inspired by their field of study! I want to love what i do more! oh and from 1:10 to 1:32 sounds so good
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Dam good!
Dam good!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
This song is …
This song is perfect for my daughter, she is a Anthropology major, this describes her!!!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
This song is …
This song is perfect for my daughter!!!! You described her!!!!! I love it!!!!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
i love this! my …
i love this! my teacher told me to watch it. im so glad she did. i love it!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Great song! Just …
Great song! Just saw this video today in my cultural anthropology class, UBC-Okanagan.
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I love it! My …
I love it! My parents were totally confused when I decided to major in anthropology – I’ll have to play them this song.
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Lol, my …
Lol, my Anthropology professor showed us this in class the other day. (Eastern New Mexico)
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Great piece!
Great piece!
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Silly song: it may …
Silly song: it may say something about how Anthropology is seen around “the greatest country in history”, ja
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Love this song, …
Love this song, very clever
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
A fun song, well …
A fun song, well done. Will you go onto grad school?
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I’m thinking about …
I’m thinking about going into Antrhopology.
- Can I travel a lot?
- Can I work outdoors often?
- Is the pay decent?
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Really cool song. …
Really cool song. I’m an Anthro. major at the University of Tulsa and my prof. sent the link to this song to me. I’m glad he did. I really enjoyed this. Thnx.
February 20th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Love the song! The …
Love the song! The world does need Anthropology. Thx for sharing.