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What Do The Simple Folk Do? Lyrics by Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo

Camelot (The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording)

2023

[GUENEVERE]
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 besieged
The folk not noblessly obliged
However do they manage to shed their weary lot?
Oh, what do the 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
So, that's what simple folk do
So they say
So they say

Stop! You are terrible at whistling!

[GUENEVERE]
I'm a beginner! I just need practice and encouragement!

[ARTHUR]
The very last thing you should have is encouragement

[GUENEVERE]
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 throned 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 the simple folk do?
Do you know?

[ARTHUR]
Once along 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
I surmise

[GUENEVERE]
Arise my love, arise my love
Apollo's lighting the skies, my love
The meadows shine with columbine and daffodils blossom away

[ARTHUR]
You have a very pretty singing voice!

[GUENEVERE]
Thank you! My father used to say I sang like an angel who'd been blessed with a particularly pretty singing voice.

[ARTHUR]
I meant relative to your whistling, but sure.

[GUENEVERE]
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 sorcery you haven't mentioned yet
Oh, what do simple folk do?
To forget

[ARTHUR]
Oft 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 violent trance astounding to behold
So that's what simple folk do
So I'm told

[GUENEVERE]
What else do the simple folk-

[ARTHUR]
Genny

[GUENEVERE]
Your Majesty

[ARTHUR]
They sit around and wonder
What royal folk would do
And that's what simple folk do

[GUENEVERE]
Yes, I suppose so

[BOTH]
Yes, that's what simple folk do
Credits
Andrew Burnap

Andrew Burnap

Phillipa Soo

Phillipa Soo

About “What Do The Simple Folk Do?” by Andrew Burnap

Read the complete lyrics to "What Do The Simple Folk Do?" by Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo from the album "Camelot (The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2023. 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, Pop, Musicals.

"What Do The Simple Folk Do?" is performed by Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo. from the album "Camelot (The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2023 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. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "What Do The Simple Folk Do?", explore more songs by Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

View all songs and biography for Andrew Burnap · Trending lyrics · Billboard Hot 100

Frequently asked questions

"What Do The Simple Folk Do?" is credited to Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo. 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 (The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2023.

Visit the Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo artist page at /artist/phillipa-soo for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.

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