(If I Only Had a Heart, If I Only Had the Nerve)
From the musical “The Wizard of Oz”, 1938.
Words by E. Y. Harburg.
Music by Harold Arlen.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Said a scarecrow swingin’ on a pole
To a blackbird sittin’ on a fence
“Oh! the Lord gave me a soul
But forgot to give me common sense
If I had an ounce of common sense”
Chorus
I could while away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flow’rs
Consultin’ with the rain
And my head, I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain
I’d unravel ev’ry riddle
For any individle in trouble or in pain
With the thoughts I’d be thinkin’
I could be another Lincoln
If I only had a brain
Oh, I could tell you why
The ocean’s near the shore
I could think of things
I never thunk before
And then I’d sit and think some more
I would not be just a nuffin’
My head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain
And perhaps I’d deserve you
And be even worthy erv you
If I only had a brain
- Said a tinman rattlin’ his gibs
To a strawman sad and weary-eyed
“Oh! the Lord gave me tin ribs
But forgot to put a heart inside”
Then he banged his hollow chest and cried
Chorus
When a man’s an empty kettle
He should be on his mettle
And yet I’m torn apart
Just because I’m presumin’
That I could be kinda human
If I only had a heart
I’d be tender, I’d be gentle
And awful sentimental
Regarding love and art
I’d be friends with the sparrows
And the boy that shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart
Picture me a balcony
Above a voice sings low
“Wherefore art thou, Romeo”
I hear a beat, how sweet!
Just to register emotion
“Jealousy,” Devotion”
And really feel the part
I would stay young and chipper
And I’d lock it with a zipper
If I only had a heart
- Said a lion poor neurotic lion
To a miss who listened to him rave
“Oh! the Lord made me a lion
But the Lord forgot to make me brave”
Then his tail began to curl and wave
Chorus
Life is sad believe me missy
When you’re born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could change my habits
Never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve
I’m afraid there’s no denyin’
I’m just a dandylion
A fate I don’t deserve
But I could show my prowess
Be a lion, not a mowess
If I only had the nerve
Oh, I’d be in my stride
A king down to the core
Oh, I’d roar the way
I never roared before
And then I’d rrrwoof
And roar some more
I would show the dinosaurus
Who’s king around the forres’
A king they better serve
Why with my regal beezer
I could be another Caesar
If I only had the nerve
Sung here by Vancha March: