OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

What Do Simple Folk Do - Julie Andrews & Richard Burton from Camelot
Watch What Do Simple Folk Do - Julie Andrews & Richard Burton from Camelot on YouTube

Featured In

Listen to Camelot (Original 1960 Broadway Cast Recording) by Lerner & Loewe, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews & Robert Goulet
ALBUMCamelot (Original 1960 Broadway Cast Recording)Lerner & Loewe, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews & Robert Goulet
Listen to Lerner and Loewe: The Songwriters featuring Lerner & Loewe, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews & Robert Goulet
PLAYLISTLerner and Loewe: The SongwritersApple Music Film, TV & Stage

Top Songs By Julie Andrews

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Julie Andrews
Julie Andrews
Vocals
Richard Burton
Richard Burton
Vocals
Original Broadway Cast of "Camelot"
Original Broadway Cast of "Camelot"
Vocals
Camelot Orchestra
Camelot Orchestra
Performer
Franz Allers
Franz Allers
Conductor
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Frederick Loewe
Frederick Loewe
Composer
Alan Jay Lerner
Alan Jay Lerner
Lyrics
Robert Russell Bennett
Robert Russell Bennett
Orchestrator
Philip J. Lang
Philip J. Lang
Orchestrator
Trude Rittman
Trude Rittman
Chorus Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Goddard Lieberson
Goddard Lieberson
Producer
Buddy Graham
Buddy Graham
Engineer
Ellen Fitton
Ellen Fitton
Mastering Engineer
Fred Plaut
Fred Plaut
Engineer
Richard King
Richard King
Engineer

Lyrics

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 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 that's what simple folk do, so they say
They just whistle?
So they say
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?
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
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
Hear Venus call to one and all
Come taste delight while you may
The world is bright and all is right
And life is merry and gay
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?
Often, I am told, they dance a fiery dance
And whirl till they're completely uncontrolled
Soon the mind is blank and all are in a trance
A violent trance astounding to behold
And that's what simple folk do, so I'm told
Dance, Arthur! Faster, my love!
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 that's what simple folk do...
Oh, no, really?
I have it on the best authority
And that's... what simple folk do...
Written by: Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out