It Ain't Necessarily So

George Gershwin

About It Ain't Necessarily So

"It Ain't Necessarily So" is a popular song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song comes from the Gershwins' opera Porgy and Bess (1935) where it is sung by the character Sportin' Life, a drug dealer, who expresses his doubt about several statements in the Bible. The song's melody also functions as a theme for Sportin' Life's character. This song came under direct critique from composer Hall Johnson for depicting African Americans as unfaithful.


Year:
2001
2:57
113 

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It ain't necessarily so
It ain't necessarily so
The t'ings dat yo' li'ble
To read in de Bible
It ain't necessarily so.

Li'l David was small, but oh my!
Li'l David was small, but oh my!
He fought big Goliath
Who lay down an' dieth!
Li'l David was small, but oh my!

Wadoo, zim bam boddle-oo
Hoodle ah da wa da
Scatty wah!
Oh yeah!

Oh Jonah, he lived in de whale
Oh Jonah, he lived in de whale
Fo' he made his home in
Dat fish's abdomen
Oh Jonah, he lived in de whale

Li'l Moses was found in a stream
Li'l Moses was found in a stream
He floated on water
Till Ol' Pharaoh's daughter
She fished him, she said, from dat stream

Wadoo...
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Dey tells all you chillun
De debble's a villun,
But it ain't necessarily so!

To get into Hebben
Don' snap for a sebben!
Live clean! Don' have no fault!
Oh, I takes dat gospel
Whenever it's pos'ble
But wid a grain of salt

Methus'lah lived nine hundred years
Methus'lah lived nine hundred years
But who calls dat livin'
When no gal will give in
To no man what's nine hundred years?

I'm preachin' dis sermon to show
It ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't necessarily...so!

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George Gershwin

George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known. Among his best known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, as well as the opera Porgy and Bess. more »

2 fans

Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Composer
"It Ain't Necessarily So" was composed by George Gershwin, an American composer who is known for his contribution to both classical and popular music.
Original Work
The song is from the 1935 opera "Porgy and Bess," which was composed by Gershwin.
Lyrics Writer
The lyrics of "It Ain't Necessarily So" were written by Ira Gershwin, George's brother.
Theme
The song questions traditional religious teachings, illustrating Gershwin's willingness to address controversial subjects.
Character
In "Porgy and Bess," the song is sung by the character Sportin' Life, a drug dealer who is dubious and disreputable.
Popularity
Despite its controversial themes, "It Ain't Necessarily So" has been widely covered and recorded by various artists, speaking to its enduring popularity.
Jazz Influence
The song is noted for its strong jazz influences, a genre that Gershwin both loved and impeccably utilized in his composition.
Covered Artists
Some of the most famous cover versions of the song include performances by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.
Concert Tradition
It's a tradition in concert performances for the performers to create their individual verses, often using humorous or topical content, reflecting on the original structure of the song.
Album Inclusion
It was included in the album "Porgy and Bess" (1958), which is a collaboration between two great jazz musicians, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
Broadway Revival
The song was included on Broadway 2012 revival of "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess," highlighting its enduring resonance.
Lyrics interpretation
Some interpret the lyrics and story of "It Ain't Necessarily So" to be a commentary on moral relativism and the power of persuasion.
Influence on Media
This song title was used as the title of a best-selling book by Robert A. Wilson, demonstrating its influence extends beyond music.
Variety in Versions
The original song duration is approximately two minutes, but it varies depending on the artist covering the song.
Successful Legacy
It is grabbed a special place in the Great American Songbook, a celebration of the popular music that shaped the 20th century.

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