Wonderful World

I was in the car earlier today (buying candy for trick-or-treaters) when Fresh Air with Terry Gross started on NPR. She was talking about Sam Cooke and the show started with a longish excerpt of his song Wonderful World.

Now I cannot get the darned tune out of my head! @#$%^&* I think that song is an unofficial anthem of the Red-State America: all emotion, no reason, no literacy. It drives my wife crazy whenever we hear the song. Why? Because I stand up and place my hand over my heart. Here are the lyrics:

Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about science book
Don't know much about the French I took

But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

Don't know much geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for

But I know that one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful this would be

I don't claim to be an "A" student
But I'm trying to be
Maybe my being an "A" student baby
I can win your love for me

Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about science book
Don't know much about the French I took

But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

But I know that one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be