Lyrics What Do the Simple Folk Do? (from 'Camelot') - Julie Andrews

What Do the Simple Folk Do? (from 'Camelot')

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
(they whistle for a while)
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
BOTH
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
They dance?
ARTHUR
So I’m told
(they dance)
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
(spoken)
Oh, no, really?
ARTHUR
I have it on the best authority.
BOTH
(sung)
Yes, that’s what simple folk do