Doin' What Comes Natur'lly

Irving Berlin

About Doin' What Comes Natur'lly

"Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" is a song from the 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun, written by Irving Berlin. The song was introduced by Ethel Merman in the original production of the musical. Other singers to have recorded the song include Betty Hutton, Judy Garland, Bernadette Peters, Suzi Quatro, The DeMarco Sisters, and Dinah Shore. In the song Annie Oakley, her brother (Little Jake), sisters (Minnie, Jessie, and Nellie), and the owner of the Wilson Hotel (Foster Wilson) sing jokingly about how the Oakley family and their community live happy lives despite their lack of education and, often, money. It was released as a 78 rpm 10 inch record by MGM in the 1950s. 


Year:
1999
2:02
52 
#2

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Folks are dumb where I come from
They ain't had any learnin'
Still they're happy as can be

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

Folks like us could never fuss
With schools and books and learnin'
Still we've gone from A to Z

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

You don't have to know how to read or write
When you're out with a feller in the pale moonlight
You don't have to look in a book to find
What he thinks of the moon or what is on his mind

That comes naturally
That comes naturally

My uncle out in Texas
Can't even write his name
He signs his checks with X's
But they cash 'em just the same

If you saw my pa and ma
You'd no they had no learnin'
Still they raised a family

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

Uncle Jed has never read
An almanac on drinkin'
Still he's always on a spree

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

Sister Sal who's mus-i-cal
Has never had a lesson
Still she's learned to sing off-key

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

You don't have to go to a private school
Not to pick up a penny by a stubborn mule
You don't have to have a professor's dome
Not to go for the honey when the bee's at home

That comes naturally
That comes naturally

My tiny baby brother
Who's never read a book
Knows one sex from the other
All he had to do was look

Grandpa Bill is on the hill
With someone he just married
There he is at ninety-three

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

Sister Lou ain't got a sou
Although she goes out shoppin'
She gets all her stockings free

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

Cousin Nell can't add or spell
But she left school with honors
She got every known degree

For doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

You don't have to come from a great big town
Not to clean out a stable in an evening gown
You don't have to mix with the Vanderbilt's
Not to take off your panties when you're wearing kilts

That comes naturally
That comes naturally

My mother's cousin Carrie
Won't ever change her name
She doesn't want to marry
And her children feel the same

Sister Rose has lots of beaus
Although we have no parlor
She does fine behind a tree

Doin' what comes naturally
Doin' what comes naturally

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Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history. He published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy", in 1907 and had his first major international hit, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in 1911. more »

4 fans

Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Composer Information
"Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" is a song composed by Irving Berlin, one of the most famous songwriters in the United States, known for creating hundreds of ballads, dance numbers, novelty tunes, and love songs.
Musical Involvement
The song is from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun," which debuted on Broadway in 1946. This musical was a fictionalized version of the life of Annie Oakley, a sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West.
Song Theme
The song, "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," expresses the theme of living a simple, unpretentious life. Its lyrics talk about ignoring social norms and following natural instincts and impulses instead.
Famous Renditions
The song was originally performed by Ethel Merman in the original production of Annie Get Your Gun. Merman is known not only for her powerful voice, but also for her comedic timing and fierce vitality on stage.
Cultural Influence
Some of the lyrics of "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" have been considered controversial and stereotypical when observed under modern lens. The song talks about uneducated, poor families who don't follow societal rules.
Other Performances
Not only restricted to stage performances, the song has also been performed in the 1950 MGM film adaptation of the musical starring Betty Hutton.
Revivals and Cover Versions
Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Dinah Shore, Bernadette Peters, and Kim Criswell. Every rendition of the song has showcased the unique artistic interpretation of the performer.
Continual Popularity
Despite being penned over seven decades ago, "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," remains a popular tune in theatrical performances and other musical renditions, proving the timelessness of Irving Berlin's compositions.
Song Duration
The song "Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" has a duration of approximately 3 minutes, depending on the performer and the speed at which they choose to sing.

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