On a dark desert highway -- not much scenery
Except this long hotel   stretchin’ far as I could see.
Neon sign in front     read “No Vacancy,”
But it was late and I was tired,  so I went inside to plea.

The clerk said, “No problem.  Here’s what can be done--
We’ll move those in a room    to the next higher one.
That will free up the first room    and that’s where you can stay.”
I tried understanding this    as I heard him say:

 CHORUS:  “Welcome to the HOTEL INFINITY --
 Where every room is full      (every room is full)
 Yet there’s room for more.
 Yeah, plenty of room at the HOTEL INFINITY --
 Move ‘em down the floor     (move em’ down the floor)
 To make room for more.”

I’d just gotten settled, I’d finally unpacked
When I saw 8 more cars   pull into the back.
I had to move to room 9; others moved up 8 rooms as well.
Never more will I confuse     a Hilton with a Hilbert Hotel!

My mind got more twisted when I saw a bus without end
With an infinite number of riders  coming up to check in.
“Relax,” said the nightman.  “Here’s what we’ll do:
Move to the double of your room number:
      that frees the odd-numbered rooms.”    (Repeat Chorus)

Last thing I remember at the end of my stay--
It was time to pay the bill but I had no means to pay.
The man in 19 smiled, “Your bill is on me.
20 pays mine, and so on, so you get yours for free!”

return to Larry's www.math.armstrong.edu/faculty/lesser/Mathemusician.html page