The Space Chase

Born in a flicker, tiny white flame
Glimmers of silver, outward they came.
Some from the old lights, some from the new
Circling the bauble, falling they flew
Falling they flew . . .

Did you see the papers? “Red ‘Moon’ Over London”;
“Russia Wins The Race Into Outer Space”,
Swift jab in Uncle Sam’s solar plexus,
Sputnik is the egg on Eisenhower’s face

In the space chase . . . in the space chase . . .

Did you see the papers? “Oh, What A Flopnik!”
Vanguard blew up in America’s lap;
Ah, but here’s another: “U.S. Satellite Up”
Explorer 1 will narrow the gap

In the space chase . . . in the space chase . . .

Did you see the papers? “Man Enters Space” now:
USSR still setting the pace;
NASA comes back with “Piloted Space Hop”
Looks like they’re always in second place.

In the space chase . . . in the space chase . . .
In the space chase.