“What Was the World Called Before Us?
Music by Jack Mitchell
Lyrics by Meghan O’Neill

PETER: Nobody knows what the world was called before us. Was it weasel? Was it cow? Was it dolphin? We didn't know. We didn't know. Now it's called Earth. What was it called? What was it called? In a long, long time it might be called something else.

SINGERS: In a long long time!

PETER: These are the questions.

SINGERS: Nobody knows!

SINGERS: In a long long time! Nobody knows!

PETER: Nobody knows

SINGERS: it might be called something else! Nobody knows!

PETER: What was the world called before.. us?

SINGERS: Before you and me?!

PETER: Good Question.

Okay, now, let’s get into it. Imagine yourself as an astronaut in a long, long time. You look out of the window of your spaceship, past the obsidian expanse and spy, far off in the distance, the tiny blue speck of the planet…. Cow?!?! If I were that astronaut gazing down at Cow, I’d think about you. Which is hilarious cuz we’ve never met! Honestly, don’t ask me what I’m talking about because I’m not totally sure. But the question remains: Would you think differently about the world now that it’s called, “cow”?

SINGERS: In a long long time! Nobody knows!

PETER: What if it were called “spaghetti”

SINGERS: In a long long time! Nobody knows!
It might be called something else! Nobody knows!

PETER: Or what about “wolf cub”? Whoa. That’s pretty good.

SINGERS: Before you and me?!

PETER: Yeah ‘Wolf Cub’s got my vote. If we are voting on this? Are we voting on this?

It’s just crazy how everything has a name but like, we gave it that name? And why? Like this guy I used to work with. His name was Evan. You look at him and know...THAT GUY is an Evan. You can picture him in your head, right? Nice guy, swimmer in High School. Wait...was his name Evan? Was it Scott? Oh boy, this is back when I was at that startup and new people were hired all the time, which really was super exciting, but also..really exhausting. At least for me, you know, cuz I’m a crazy introvert and...wait, whoa...was it Josh?! Oh man. I wonder what YOU were called before you were called what you ARE called? Hmm??

SINGERS: What you were called….

PETER: Was it cow? Was it weasel?

SINGERS: ..before you were called….

PETER: Was it dolphin? Was it dolphin? Was it dolphin? Was it dolphin? Was it dolphin?

SINGERS: what you are called….

PETER: You know what? That guy from work..I think his name WAS Evan.

SINGERS: Before you and me!

Peter: HAHA! Nobody knows!

Singers: Nobody knows

PETER: Aw man..Am I blowing your mind yet?! ‘Cause my mind’s blown. That’s the only way I’m able to think straight...with a mind...that’s blown into a million pieces. Think about this, friend-os, this: what’s the sound of one hand clapping?! If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? What was the world called before us? TELL ME! What! EVEN! IS! THIS!? NOBODY KNOWS.

Hahahahha! Yet, here I am! On a future spaceship that doesn’t exist thinking about a person I’ve never met who lives on a planet that is now called “dolphin”, but, in a long long time...it might be called something else!

SINGERS: In a long long time!

PETER: SO LONG!

SINGERS: Nobody knows!

PETER: I certainly don’t!

SINGERS: In a long long time!

PETER: Time’s weird!

SINGERS: Nobody knows!

PETER: So weird!



SINGERS: It might be called something else. Nobody knows

PETER: Nobody really knows. What was the world called before us is my question.

SINGERS: Before you and me?!

SINGERS: Or just me?

SINGERS: Nobody knows!

PETER: Oh I’m so glad you guys came over. I was having one of those weeks where I was like “why do I do anything” you know? And then buddies come over and you make new friends…. High fives? I know they’re cheezy- but it feels real! Let’s go. Hey, who needs more chips? I think I have some back here. I have not been to the grocery store in awhile.I got some more cheese doodles in the back. I make them myself. Oh, it’s actually easy. Don’t mind the mess in the rec room. I’m not gonna clean it up soon but...Oh you’re fun! I don’t even know who you are... or where you are! What was your name again, Morgan? Stephen?! I was way off. Come here...it’s a lot of baking…you got homemade cheese. Where are my slippers?! Helen! Helen do you seen my slippers? Oh don’t worry about it. And, the, oh my gosh, has anyone seen my dog? Oh my dog is...did someone let my dog out? Ah, he’ll find his way back. He’s not friendly. Not like you guys! High fives? Okay. Maybe later. Am I floating away? I feel like I’m floating away into the expanse. Am I floating in a void? Why aren’t you guys talking? Oh wow I’m losing my mind. I’M OKAY WITH IT! Tell my wife I’ll be home later. I’m not really sure what’s going on. NOBODY KNOWS!