Star Trek Lyrics Really Existed Because Roddenberry Was A Douche

The original Star Trek theme is so iconic, it’s recognizable by Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike. If not for one, small creative decision, we’d actually be singing along every time we hear it play.

The Star Trek franchise is celebrating its 47th birthday, and in lieu of a birthday song, we actually have the second half of the original theme song… which included lyrics.

The small, creative decision we alluded to earlier was simple. The lyrics weren’t actually cut out after someone decided they were horrible, but rather, they’ve always been a real part of the theme.

Gene Roddenberry didn’t intend for them to ever be heard… he wrote them so he could receive authorship credit and half of the royalties.

The theme’s composer, Alexander Courage, was obviously miffed. But Roddenberry’s excuse was that he wouldn’t have made any money out of Star Trek without the lyrics.

“I have to get some money somewhere. I’m sure not gonna get it out of the profits of Star Trek,” he said. So much for his utopian “share everything” society, am I right? He was a cold, hard capitalist to the end.

Oh, and here’s what you came for. The Star Trek theme’s lyrics:

Beyond
The rim of the star-light
My love
Is wand’ring in star-flight
I know
He’ll find in star-clustered reaches
Love,
Strange love a star woman teaches.
I know
His journey ends never
His star trek
Will go on forever.
But tell him
While he wanders his starry sea
Remember, remember me.

You can watch a video of the Star Trek theme with lyrics included above.