The Cells That Will Not Die

Henrietta Lacks died in '51
Of cancer so exotic that they saved some
Culture in a dish
Every day doubling in size
Spreading and contaminating,
Henrietta is still alive

We are the cells
We are the cells
We are the cells
That will not die (repeat)

Living proof
That everything you know
Might be wrong

Flask to countertop
To other bio labs
Henrietta overpowers
Cultures everywhere
All the way to China
Back through Russia
To Johns Hopkins U.
Years of research ruined
Didn't know
They used the wrong tissue

We are the cells
We are the cells
We are the cells
That will not die

Trait that is most poisonous
In a rock star ego scientist
Never, ever admit you're wrong

Cover up, intimidate
Like junkies in denial
The world is flat
And it ain't getting warm
No no no no no no no no no
Kuz then


Loss of power
Loss of funds
Must protect reputation
Hide mistakes
Do not correct
That's how Henrietta spreads

Flesh-eating bacteria
Hantavirus, AIDS, ebola
Festers in me
Like mad cow
Where is Henrietta now?

We are the cells
We are the cells
We are the cells
That will not die

How much of what we rely on
Is based on faulty research that's
Wrong
Wrong
WRONG