The FishesSIO and DFL

Amphioxus Song

Before fishes, there was amphioxous

Check out some biological humor in lyrics by Philip H. Pope. The Sam Hinton recording is available from the Smithsonian. Sam Hinton was a multitalented individual. He was Curator of the of the Thomas Wayland Vaughan Aquarium Museum at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for nearly two decades, had a long career as a folksinger and artist.

The Amphioxous Song, 1921

Amphioxous is a small worm-like marine creature also known as a lancelet. It is one of the closest living relatives of the first fishes from which fish descended.

Check out some biological humor in lyrics by Philip H. Pope. The Sam Hinton recording is available from the Smithsonian. Sam Hinton was a multitalented individual. He waw Curator of the of the Thomas Wayland Vaughan Aquarium Museum at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for nearly two decades.


  • Sample of the Amphioxus song
  • More about this song
  • Sam Hinton oral history