The Firefly Song

by Jeffrey B. Moran1

I admit there isn’t many talents I possess.
I can’t dance and I can’t sing a song for you.
I don’t know much about literature or math,
And when it comes to science, I haven’t got a clue.
But if you look beneath my abdomen you’ll find
An organ there, and that is where my talents are inclined.

Chorus: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, every night, let it shine.

‘Cause I’m a firefly, you see, so some people say.
I’m also called a lightning bug, and I guess that’s OK.
But really I’m a beetle of the group Lampyridae.
But, what’s in a name? It’s all the same to me.

Chorus:

There’s lots of different species, but each has its own way
Of flashing light throughout the night until the break of day.
So me and my brothers and sisters of the night,
We flash and flare until there’s a thousand points of light.

Chorus:

My light is produced in cells called photocytes
When the molecule luciferin is broken down just right
By the enzyme luciferase in the presence of O2
And then that light’s reflected out for everyone to view.

Chorus:

My children, I tell you this so that you will know
There’s more to life than being a little worm that glows.
You’re nothing but a larvae now, you see,
But someday you’ll change into a firefly like me.

Chorus: Then your little light will shine. You’ll make it shine.
Your little light will shine. You’ll make it shine.
Your little light will shine. You’ll make it shine.
Let it shine, every night, let it shine.