Star Trek’s Hidden Lyrics: Beyond the Star-Light

Introduction:

It is often assumed that the iconic Star Trek theme song is purely instrumental. However, the show’s creator, Gene Roddenberry, secretly penned lyrics to the theme, which were used in a private concert setting. These lyrics shed light on the creative intentions behind the famous piece of music and provide a fascinating insight into the dynamics of the show's production process.

The Discovery of Star Trek’s Hidden Lyrics

One day, while attending a small artist's concert, an unexpected twist unveiled the existence of these hidden lyrics. The singer performed the Star Trek theme with its original lyrics, an act that would give Gene Roddenberry a financial stake through royalties. Gene Roddenberry, known for his resourcefulness, wrote these lyrics with a dual purpose: to secure his creative credit and to ensure a share of the profits that would otherwise belong to the composer, Alexander Courage.

Revealing the Lyrics

The lyrics of the Star Trek theme reveal a touching and evocative sentiment. Starting around the 1-minute mark, the lyrics go as follows:

‘Beyond the rim of the star-light,

My love is wandering in star-flight,

I know,

He’ll find in star-clustered reaches,

Lov e,

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.’

These lyrics were created by Gene Roddenberry specifically to ensure that he would receive royalties from Alexander Courage’s composition. The theme song's lyrics were not used on the actual TV show, but they provide a poignant reminder of the creative process and the financial considerations behind the production of Star Trek.

The "Space the Final Frontier" Lyrics

Interestingly, the famous phrase "Space, the final frontier" was also spoken with lyrics in mind. These lyrics, which start around the 1-minute mark, are:

‘Beyond the rim of the star-light,

My love is wandering in star-flight,

These lyrics offer a romantic and poetic interpretation of the show's theme, reflecting the stardust and mystery that define the Star Trek universe.

Other Star Trek Theme Lyrics Controversy

While the lyrics were not used on the original TV show, there have been instances of concert performances and recordings where the lyrics were used. The full lyrics of the theme, as fully written by Gene Roddenberry, are:

BEYOND
The rim of the star-light
MY LOVE
Is wandering in star-flight
I KNOW
He'll find in star-clustered reaches
L-O-V-E
Strange love, a star woman teaches
I KNOW
His journey ends never
STAR TREK
Will go on forever
But tell him
While he wanders his starry sea

Remember, remember me.

These lyrics were found to add an emotional depth to the theme, making it more than just a tune but a lyrical narrative underpinning the journey of the Enterprise and its crew.

Conclusion

The existence of these hidden lyrics underscores the rich legacy of Star Trek and provides a unique perspective on the creative process that went into crafting one of the most beloved and enduring themes in television history. Whether these lyrics were ever officially used, they remain a testament to the ingenuity of Gene Roddenberry and the complex interplay between artistic expression and commercial interests.

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