What Do the Simple Folk Do? Lyrics by Julie Andrews, Richard Burton
Camelot (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
1960
[GUENEVERE] What do the simple folk do To help them escape when they're blue? The shepard who is ailing, the milkmaid who is glum The cobbler who is wailing from nailing his thumb When they're beset and besieged The folk not noblessly obliged However do they manage to shed their weary lot? Oh, what do simple folk do we do not? [ARTHUR] 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 that's what simple folk do So they say [GUENEVERE] They whistle? [ARTHUR] So they say [GUENEVERE] What else do the simple folk do To pluck 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 begin What keeps each of them in his skin? What ancient native custom provides the needed glow? Oh, what do simple folk do? Do you know? [ARTHUR] Once, upon the 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 And that's what simple folk do I surmise [GUENEVERE] They sing? [ARTHUR] I surmise [GUENEVERE/ARTHUR] Arise, my love, arise, my love Apollo's lighting the skies, my love The meadows shine with columbine And daffodils blossom away Hear Venus call to one and all And taste delight while you may The world is bright and all is right And life is merry and gay [GUENEVERE] What else do the simple folk do? They must have a system or two They obviously outshine us at turning tears to mirth And tricks a royal highness is minus from birth What, then, I wonder, do they To chase all the goblins away? They have some tribal sorcery you haven't mentioned yet Oh, what do simple folk do to forget? [ARTHUR] Often, I am told, they dance a fiery dance And whirl till they're completely uncontrolled Soon the mind is blank and oh, they're in a trance A violent trance astounding to behold And that's what simple folk do So I'm told [GUENEVERE] What else do the simple folk do To help them escape when they're blue? [ARTHUR] They sit around and wonder what royal folk would do And that's what simple folk do [GUENEVERE] Oh, no, really? [ARTHUR] I have it on the best authority [GUENEVERE/ARTHUR] Yes, that's what simple folk do
About “What Do the Simple Folk Do?” by Julie Andrews
Read the complete lyrics to "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" by Julie Andrews, Richard Burton from the album "Camelot (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 1960. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Broadway, Musicals, Pop.
"What Do the Simple Folk Do?" is performed by Julie Andrews, Richard Burton. from the album "Camelot (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 1960 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL.
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"What Do the Simple Folk Do?" is credited to Julie Andrews, Richard Burton. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.
"What Do the Simple Folk Do?" appears on "Camelot (Original Broadway Cast Recording)" in 1960.
Visit the Julie Andrews, Richard Burton artist page at /artist/julie-andrews for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.
