Monkey Trial

Oh, the sensation, the media frenzy,

Oh, the sensation, the media frenzy, The spotlight, the fame, the hullabaloo,

Oh, the sensation, the media frenzy, The spotlight, the fame, the hullabaloo, When anti-evolution laws

Oh, the sensation, the media frenzy, The spotlight, the fame, the hullabaloo, When anti-evolution laws Were challenged by the ACLU!

The year: 1925.

The year: 1925. The place: Dayton, Tennessee.

The year: 1925. The place: Dayton, Tennessee. To say it was an extravaganza

The year: 1925. The place: Dayton, Tennessee. To say it was an extravaganza Wouldn't be hyperbole.

For many people it was hard

For many people it was hard To find a way to reconcile

For many people it was hard To find a way to reconcile Biblical accounts with science,

For many people it was hard To find a way to reconcile Biblical accounts with science, So science found itself on trial.

A young teacher, John T. Scopes,

A young teacher, John T. Scopes, Was willing to face prosecution

A young teacher, John T. Scopes, Was willing to face prosecution For breaking a Tennessee law for having

A young teacher, John T. Scopes, Was willing to face prosecution For breaking a Tennessee law for having Given a lesson on evolution.

The "Monkey Trial" it was called.

The "Monkey Trial" it was called. The challenge meant swimming upstream

The "Monkey Trial" it was called. The challenge meant swimming upstream For the feisty lawyer Clarence Darrow,

The "Monkey Trial" it was called. The challenge meant swimming upstream For the feisty lawyer Clarence Darrow, Who helped to lead the defense team.

A prosecutor was William Jennings

A prosecutor was William Jennings Bryan, who with no apology

A prosecutor was William Jennings Bryan, who with no apology Loved to stir up outrage against

A prosecutor was William Jennings Bryan, who with no apology Loved to stir up outrage against Evolutionary biology.

Defendant Scopes quickly found

Defendant Scopes quickly found It wouldn't take long for him to know

Defendant Scopes quickly found It wouldn't take long for him to know What it was like to have a part

Defendant Scopes quickly found It wouldn't take long for him to know What it was like to have a part In a multimedia reality show.

The courthouse received a make-over:

The courthouse received a make-over: Platforms for newsreel cameras were built;

The courthouse received a make-over: Platforms for newsreel cameras were built; Extra spectator seats were added.

The courthouse received a make-over: Platforms for newsreel cameras were built; Extra spectator seats were added. They were playing the trial to the hilt.

Concession stands sold food and drinks;

Concession stands sold food and drinks; Toy monkeys were on display;

Concession stands sold food and drinks; Toy monkeys were on display; A chimp was dressed in a suit and fedora;

Concession stands sold food and drinks; Toy monkeys were on display; A chimp was dressed in a suit and fedora; The clergy also joined the fray.

The media and the public loved it!

The media and the public loved it! The country watched the trial progress.

The media and the public loved it! The country watched the trial progress. What would win: science or scripture?

The media and the public loved it! The country watched the trial progress. What would win: science or scripture? The answer was probably easy to guess.

After an eight-day trial, the jury

After an eight-day trial, the jury Deliberated. Nine minutes later

After an eight-day trial, the jury Deliberated. Nine minutes later They had their verdict: guilty! How

After an eight-day trial, the jury Deliberated. Nine minutes later They had their verdict: guilty! How Could someone question THEIR creator?

Scopes had actually never given

Scopes had actually never given The lesson. That's what he later said.

Scopes had actually never given The lesson. That's what he later said. Strangely, five days after the trial,

Scopes had actually never given The lesson. That's what he later said. Strangely, five days after the trial, Williams Jennings Bryan dropped dead.

Laws later changed, but even during

Laws later changed, but even during Current times, some people feel

Laws later changed, but even during Current times, some people feel That stories from the Bible should be

Laws later changed, but even during Current times, some people feel That stories from the Bible should be In science textbooks. Now THAT'S surreal!