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lyrics

In each of my cells, I have 46
Little chromosomes, like short stubby sticks
Made of DNA in a double helix.
From my dad and from my mum I got an equal mix.
Y, X, why-oh-why

Each chromosome looks like little crosshairs.
Numbered longest to shortest, there are 22 pairs
Which every living human shares,
But then there are these two funny little spares.
Y, X, why-oh-why

These strands determine biological sex.
If you were born a girl, you’ve an X and an X.
Mine are X and Y, which means society expects
Me to like the colour blue and have an Oedipus complex.
Y, X, why-oh-why

But the surprising fact is, however hard you try,
You can’t find maleness on chromosome Y.
It’s simply a switch, so if you were to apply
Some hormones, you can kiss your birth gender goodbye.
Y, X, well Y not?

Another interesting fact, though a subject of debate,
Is that femaleness is the default state.
We were all girls when we started to gestate,
As our ancestors were, before they evolved a mate.
Y, X, why-oh-why

It’s not black and white - female and male
Are merely the extremes on a sliding scale.
But we live in a culture where we’re encouraged to curtail
Our traits from the gender from which we don’t hail.
Y, X, why-oh-why

Why do we discriminate on the basis of sex?
There’s no reason lorry drivers should have hairier legs.
There’s no reason women should be earning less than us men.
We’ve set our sights on the dizzy heights of equal right but kindly tell me when.

Y! When! Y! When! Y! When! Y! X! Why-oh-why.

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from Ensonglopedia of the Human, released July 18, 2021

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