Schoolhouse Rock: I’m Just a Bill
Thanks to the Schoolhouse Rock America Rock series, history became my favorite subject in elementary school and has remained one of my lasting interests.
Judging by the comments on You Tube, history teachers, today, are still using these very same films to teach their students important lessons in history.
As all lessons originally intended for children must be, these are brief with a positive spin, ignoring many of the uglier historical truths. That is appropriate for teaching very young children. However, this does not mean these are not useful tools to teach, not only easy lessons on early American history, law, and government, but also English, through the repetition of useful English words and correct grammar usage.
The Schoolhouse Rock animation short film called “I’m Just a Bill” explains how an idea for a new law can result in a bill, which is a proposed law, then, eventually, become a law.
Watch and sing along with the lyrics provided below:
[Boy:] Whoo! You sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington! Well, I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?
[Bill:] I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And, I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it’s a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It’s a long, long wait
While I’m sitting in committee.
But, I know I’ll be a law someday.
At least, I hope and pray that I will.
But, today, I am still just a bill.
[Boy:] Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage.
[Bill:] Well, I got this far. When I started, I wasn’t even a bill. I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman. And he said, “You’re right. There oughta be a law.” Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And, I became a bill. And, I’ll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.
I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And, I got as far as Capitol Hill.
Well, now I’m stuck in committee.
And, I’ll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law.
How I hope and pray that they will!
But, today I am still just a bill.
[Boy:] Listen to those Congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?
[Bill:] Yeah, I’m one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide to report on me favorably. Otherwise, I may die.
[Boy:] Die?
[Bill:] Yeah, die in committee! Oooh! But, it looks like I’m gonna live! Now, I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.
[Boy:] If they vote “yes,” what happens?
[Bill:] Then, I go to the Senate, and the whole thing starts all over again!
[Boy:] Oh no!
[Bill:] Oh yes!
I’m just a bill.
Yes, I’m only a bill.
And, if they vote for me on Capitol Hill.
Well, then I’m off to the White House
Where I’ll wait in a line,
With a lot of other bills,
For the president to sign.
And, if he signs me, then I’ll be a law.
How I hope and pray that he will!
But, today I am still just a bill.
[Boy:] You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say “no?”
[Bill:] Yes, that’s called a veto. If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again. And, by that time you’re so old …
[Boy:] By that time, it’s very unlikely that you’ll become a law. It’s not easy to become a law; is it?
[Bill:] No!
But, how I hope and I pray that I will!
But, today, I am still just a bill.
[Congressman:] He signed you, Bill! Now you’re a law!
[Bill:] Oh, yes!!!
CONCLUSION
Most of these Schoolhouse Rock animation short films were originally aired on TV in the early 1970s. While they were progressive for their time, some of the views expressed in them, as well as their production value, may seem dated by today’s standards. Also, keep in mind that they were intended for very young children who were glued to their TV sets (including me!) after school and every morning on the weekends. It was a noble effort by a lot of idealistic folks who wanted to provide some much needed education to America’s youth at the time.
Schoolhouse Rock offers broad explanations of difficult subjects, which I believe is extremely useful to anyone seeking to learn the English language and American culture. However, these animated short films are, in no way, meant to be complete lessons on the subject. For example, “I’m Just a Bill” explains only one way that an idea can become a law in the U.S.
If you want to buy the entire collection of all 46 Schoolhouse Rock videos in a special edition 2-disc DVD 30th anniversary set from Amazon.com, click here
[For more Schoolhouse Rock videos, click here.]
[ For “Pop Music English” lessons, click here.]
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