As I was visiting with Mr. R.H. Shin the other day, the subject of favorite Gilligan's Island episodes came up. He's partial to one featuring a music group called the Mosquitoes; I'm fond of one where the castaways produce a musical version of Hamlet. Who can forget Polonius belting out "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; do not forget: stay out of debt" to the tune of "Toreador"? Of course, we also had to discuss our favorite characters. I thought the Professor was pretty cute. R.H. liked him, too, but in a nerd-bonding, coconut radio sort of way.
There are those who say Gilligan's Island has reached iconic status in our TV culture, and I'm not inclined to argue. However, I think the show's greatest contribution to 20th-century art is its theme song. Does anyone besides me still remember the whole thing? The best thing about it, in my opinion, is that you can sing the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" to the GI tune, and it works out great. You can also, with a little creativity, sing "Amazing Grace" to the Mickey Mouse Club theme tune, the Marine Corps Hymn and the Beatles' "Yesterday," just to name a few. The words appear below. Try this out the next time you feel yourself dozing off in church. Remember, a prayer sung is twice heard.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
When we've been here a thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.