Alice Day again

First, thanks and praise to operaflute at blogspot, who reported having the same problem (crackles on the high notes) and suggested that I try using a sampling rate of 48 kHz instead of 44.1 while using the Zoom as a USB audio interface.  This worked to get rid of the crackles.  So I can now use the Zoom as an audio interface again and hurray!  Thank you, operaflute!

So, a few days ago thnidu was posting about having found some physics-related filk  and for some reason "Axial tilt is the reason for the season" popped into my head complete with an urgent-feeling tune.  This has a lot more pickups and extra syllables and such than I normally use, but cramming orbital mechanics into a song is, well, bits kept sticking out.  This is the best I've been able to do so far.

I should note that I did not think up "Axial tilt is the reason for the season," nor do I know who did.  I think I first saw it on Pharyngula, but PZ was referring to something thought up by someone else.  

Axial Tilt
lyrics and melody by Catherine Faber 2011
mp3 here
a capella mp3 here

       F                       C
Earth spins on its axis; that makes day and night
        Bb                      C
But its axis of rotation isn't fully upright,
      F                           Gm
When looked at in relation to our orbital plane.
         F             C                           Dm
So each hemisphere in turn's receiving more solar gain. 

   Dm                 Gm             Dm
   Axial tilt! is the reason for the season
   Dm                  C         Am
   Axial tilt! is the factor in play
   Dm                            Gm
   Summer will run, while we're turned to the sun,
       F      Dm       F     Dm       F        Dm
   And winter when our hemisphere is pointed away.


As our axial tilt, puts the sun at its height,
We get more sunbeams per acre, and more hours of light.
And as our orbit swings 'round the other side of the sun,
The angled light is weaker and the day sooner done.

We can't see the tilt that makes the seasons go by
Except by the migration of the sun in the sky.
Toward the horizon, it shifted its track 
And the ancients threw a party when it turned to come back.

And just like the ancients from whom we descend
We're glad to be reminded that the winter will end;
Taking our customs from pagans of old,
We have ourselves a holiday defying the cold!