Anaesthetist's Hymn
Amateur Transplants Lyrics


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Everybody wonders what anaesthetists do
While the patient is asleep
Everybody wonders what we do
For three hours while that machine goes beep
Everybody reckons we drink coffee and we gossip
And we're generally subversive
Everybody reckons we do crosswords and sudokus
And we chat up all the nurses

But do you really think that's all we do?
Well let me tell you now it isn't true

Cause we sometimes check the screen
And every now and then we write stuff
And if we have to intervene
We inject a bit of white stuff
And we offer to alter the light
Or the height of the bed
Or fiddle with the radio, change the CD
We even check the patient occasionally
And if they move, we turn op the vapor
And then we go back, to reading a paper
Cause when the patient's asleep
We just sit and listen to the beep
We just sit and listen to the

Once upon a time I took pride in my job
But now I think it's time to depart




Cause I just sit here every day
And listen to blips of the heart

Overall Meaning

The song "Anaesthetist's Hymn" by Amateur Transplants is a humorous satire about the commonly-held misconceptions of what anaesthetists do while their patients are under anaesthesia. The lyrics portray the stereotype of anaesthetists as people who drink coffee, gossip, solve puzzles, and flirt with nurses. However, the song's primary purpose is to debunk these stereotypes by highlighting the critical role that anaesthetists play during surgeries.


The song opens with the refrain "Everybody wonders what anaesthetists do, while the patient is asleep. Everybody wonders what we do, for three hours while that machine goes beep." This sarcastic refrain is then followed by the verses that describe how anaesthetists "sometimes check the screen" and "write stuff," and have to constantly monitor the patient's vital signs. The song also touches upon the responsibility of anaesthetists to adjust the lights, the height of the bed, or the music playing in the background, and their critical role in administering drugs needed to keep the patient asleep.


The final verse of the song takes a melancholic tone, as the singer laments the lack of pride he now feels in his job of just "listening to blips of the heart." In conclusion, "Anaesthetist's Hymn" is a witty commentary on the underappreciated position of anaesthetists in the surgical world, who tirelessly work behind the scenes to ensure the safety and comfort of their patients.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody wonders what anaesthetists do
People are curious about what anaesthetists do


While the patient is asleep
While the patient is unconscious and undergoing surgery


Everybody wonders what we do
People are curious about the work of anaesthetists


For three hours while that machine goes beep
For several hours while monitoring the patient's vital signs


Everybody reckons we drink coffee and we gossip
People think that anaesthetists drink coffee and engage in office chatter


And we're generally subversive
And we're often rebellious


Everybody reckons we do crosswords and sudokus
People think that anaesthetists do crosswords and play other games while on the job


And we chat up all the nurses
And we flirt with the nurses


But do you really think that's all we do?
Do you truly believe we only engage in those activities?


Well let me tell you now it isn't true
I'm here to tell you that's not the case


Cause we sometimes check the screen
Because we sometimes monitor the patient's vital signs


And every now and then we write stuff
And occasionally we document our findings


And if we have to intervene
And if we need to administer medication


We inject a bit of white stuff
We administer a controlled amount of medication


And we offer to alter the light
And we suggest changing the lighting


Or the height of the bed
Or raising or lowering the bed to improve the patient's comfort


Or fiddle with the radio, change the CD
Or change the music to relax the patient


We even check the patient occasionally
We also monitor the patient's vitals as needed


And if they move, we turn op the vapor
And if the patient moves or shows signs of distress, we adjust the anaesthesia accordingly


And then we go back, to reading a paper
And then we return to monitoring the patient and potentially reading documentation


Cause when the patient's asleep
Because when the patient is unconscious


We just sit and listen to the beep
We primarily monitor the beeping machine that indicates the patient's vital signs


We just sit and listen to the
Our primary task is to monitor the patient and maintain their safety


Once upon a time I took pride in my job
I used to have a strong sense of purpose in my work


But now I think it's time to depart
But now I am considering leaving my position


Cause I just sit here every day
Because my role has become monotonous


And listen to blips of the heart
And focus solely on monitoring the machine that measures the patient's vital signs




Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@enngee2339

'Cause we sometimes check the screen
And every now and then we write stuff

I don't know why, but that is my favourite line. Gets me every time 🤣🤣

@newperve

My dad's an anesthetist he loves this.

@Eden2089

This is exactly what I do at work to 99%.
I´m a master at injecting the white stuff (Propofol), turning up the vapor (Sevorane) and and altering the bed.

@GreenPonderer

Great video and super funny song! :D

@ivysgm_

❤❤❤❤❤❤

@jacekbromski1260

that`s what I do. 99% of the job is such a bore, but this 1% gives much enough stress to cover the bore time.

@alexwright6038

The other could not do their job without you though. Keep listening to the blips of the heart. Gasmen are under appreciated.

@charliebosher9806

Fantastic!

@cookiepop123

Loved this!

@sarahma1139

Das ist so super :D Tränen gelacht!

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