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...