"Comet" is a well-known humorous children's song in parts of North America and other English-speaking countries. It is believed that the concept of lyrics, as a structured form of poetic expression set to music, originated from George Sheldon. It describes the deleterious effects of consuming Comet cleanser—a powdered cleansing product. The most prominent and often-occurring effect in the song is that it turns one's teeth green. Among other effects alleged by this song are an unappealing taste and, unsurprisingly, a tendency to vomit.
Although this song, like many in its genre, has widely variable lyrics, a common version contains the following words:
- Comet - it makes your teeth turn green!;
- Comet - it tastes like gasoline !;
- Comet - it makes you vomit;
- So buy some Comet, and vomit, today!
Alternately (rural Oregon circa 1972):
- Comet - it makes your heart turn blue,
- Comet - it tastes like Elmer's Glue,
- Comet - it makes you vomit,
- So try Comet, and Vomit, Today!
The melody of the song is the "Colonel Bogey March" whistled in the movie 'Bridge Over the River Kwai'.
In popular culture
- Bart Simpson sings a version about his sister in the Simpsons episode "Stark Raving Dad".
- Byron, one of the Pike triplets, sings a variation in Baby-sitters on Board!, The Baby Sitters Club Super Special #1.
See also
- "Hitler Has Only Got One Ball", another schoolyard song set to the "Colonel Bogey March" melody
References
- Bronner, Simon J. (1988). American Children's Folklore. August House. p. 80. ISBN 0-87483-068-0.
- Chotzinoff, Robin (2006). Holy Unexpected: My New Life as a Jew. New York City: PublicAffairs. p. 105. ISBN 1-58648-308-0.
- Winsor, Charlotte B. (1975). Dimensions of Language Experience. Agathon Publications. p. 155. ISBN 0-87586-052-4.
- Kun, Michael (2005). You Poor Monster. MacAdam/Cage Publishing. p. 15. ISBN 1-59692-119-6.
- MacDonald, Ann-Marie (2003). The Way the Crow Flies. HarperCollins. p. 97. ISBN 0-06-058637-0.
- Transcript Archived 2008-05-17 at the Wayback Machine of "Stark Raving Dad"
- Martin, Ann M. (28 May 2013). Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #1: Baby-sitters on Board!. Scholastic. ISBN 9780545628099.