IT'S THE NATURAL THING TO DO
From the film "Double Or Nothing" (1937)
(Lyrics: Johnny Burke / Music: Arthur Johnston)
Bing Crosby (Film Soundtrack) - 1937
Mildred Bailey - 1937
Jimmy Dorsey & His Orch. (vocal: Don Matteson) - 1937
Horace Heidt & His Brigadiers (vocal: King Sisters) - 1937
Jimmie Lunceford & His Orch. (vocal: Don Matteson) - 1937
Roy Fox & His Orch. (vocal: Denny Dennis) - 1937
Petula Clark - 1957
Scott Peters - 1961
Also recorded by: Count Basie; Victor Silvester.
As performed by BING CROSBY in the 1937 film "Double Or Nothing":
When a bird young and free
Hangs around a certain tree
Singing serenades that tell his love is true
That's because it's the natural thing to do
And when a cat on a fence
Keeps his darling in suspense
And he's brave enough to face a well aimed shoe
That's because it's the natural thing to do
And you know that a dove
Has its heart set on love
Rabbits too pet and pat
And there's nothing strange in that
When a boy such as I
Tries so hard to qaulify
With a very lovely lady such as you
Can't you see, it's the natural thing to do
And then the girl acts demure
The boy feels proud and sure, so proud and sure
That he impulsively suggests a rendezvous, we progress
That's because it's the natural thing to do
But the girl, she can't agree
Though he begs and pleads and implores on bended knee
Then she runs away and, uh, she knows he's gonna pursue, the fool
That's because it's the natural thing to do
Then the boy, in despair
Waves his arms, tears his hair
Stamps his feet, acts like mad
Then you know that he's got it bad
If the girl's got a heart at all
Then she's bound to fall
She will take him in her arms and kiss him, too
Don't you know that's the natural thing to do
********************
As performed by BING CROSBY for record release:
When a bird young and free
Hangs around a certain tree
Singing serenades that tell his love is true
That's because it's the natural thing to do
And when a cat on a fence
Keeps his darling in suspense
And he's brave enough to face a well aimed shoe
That's because it's the natural thing to do
And you know every dove
Has its heart set on love
Rabbits too pet and pat
And there's nothin' wrong with that
When a boy such as I
Tries so hard to qaulify
With a very lovely lady such as you
Can't you see, it's the natural thing to do
(Instrumental Break)
And then the girl, she acts demure
And the boy, he feels proud and sure, so proud and sure
That he impulsively suggests a rendezvous, fine thing
That's because it's the natural thing to do
But the girl, she just won't agree
She whimpers and she simpers, and he begs on bended knee
But she runs away because she knows full well he'll pursue, the chump
That's because it's the natural thing to do
Then the boy, in despair
Waves his arms, tears his hair
Stamps his feet and he acts like mad
Then you know that he's got it bad
Then the girl, she oughta fall
If she's got a heart at all
She should take him in her arms and kiss him, too
Oh-ooh, just the natural thing to do
********************
ALTERNATE VERSES:
When a sad moonstruck cow
Would be glad to make a vow
When she lifts her head and sighs a lonely mooooo
That's because it's the natural thing to do
And you know every dove
Has a heart set on love
Squirrels too, and they should
And you know a woodchuck would
********************
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - June 2017)
