What do the simple folk do
To help them escape when they're blue
The shepherd who is ailing
The milkmaid who is glum
The cobbler who is wailing
From nailing his thumb
When they're beset and be-sieged
The folk not noblessely obliged
However do they manage
To shed their weary l-o-t
Oh, w-h-a-t do simple folk do
We do not
I have been informed
By those who know them well
They find relief in quite a clever way
When they're sorely pressed
They whistle for a spell
And whistling seems to brighten up their day
And t-h-a-t-'-s what simple folk do
So they say
They whistle?
So they say
verse 2
What else do the simple folk do
To perk up the heart and get through
The wee folk and the grown folk
Who wander to and fro
Have ways known to their own folk
We throne folk don't know
When all the doldrums be-gin
What keeps each of them in his skin
What ancient native custom
Provides the needed glow
Oh, w - h-a-t do simple folk do
Do you know
Once along a road
I came upon a lad
Singing in a voice three times his size
When I asked him why
He told me he was sad
And singing always made his spirits rise
So t-h-a-t-'-s what simple folk do
I surmise
They sing?
I surmise
Arise, my love! Arise, my love!
Apollo's lighting the skies, my love
The meadows shine with columbine
And daffodils blossom away
verse 3
What else do the simple folk do
They must have a system or two
They obviously outshine us
At turning tears to mirth
Have tricks a royal highness
Is minus from birth
What then I wonder do they
To chase all the goblins away
They have some tribal sorc'ry
You haven't mentioned yet
Oh, w - h-a-t do simple folk do
To forget
Often I am told
They dance a fiery dance
And whirl 'til they're completely uncontrolled
Soon the mind is blank
And all are in a trance
A vi'lent trance astounding to behold
And t-h-a-t-'-s what simple folk do
So I'm told
verse 4
What else do the simple folk do
To help them escape when they're blue
They sit around and wonder
What royal folk would do
And t-h-a-t-'-s what simple folk do
Really?
I have it on the best authority
Yes, t-h-a-t-'-s what simple folk do
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe