If I Only Had a Brain (1939)
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(w) E. Y. Harburg (m) Harold Arlen (I) Film: The Wizard of Oz by Ray Bolger, Jack Haley and Bert Lahr
Scarecrow: I could while away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers, 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 every 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’, a head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain and perhaps I’d deserve you
And be even worthy of you if I only had a brain

Tinman: 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

Cowardly Lion: 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 dandelion
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 fores’, a king they’d better serve
Why with my regal beezer I could be another Caesar
If I only had the nerve