What Do The Simple Folk Do?

Lyrics

[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 [ARTHUR, spoken] Stop! You are terrible at whistling! [GUENEVERE, spoken] I'm a beginner! I just need practice and encouragement! [ARTHUR, spoken] 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, spoken] You have a very pretty singing voice! [GUENEVERE, spoken] Thank you! My father used to say I sang like an angel who'd been blessed with a particularly pretty singing voice [ARTHUR, spoken] 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