Ain’t It The Truth?
Music by Harold Arlen, words by Yip Harburg, who also wrote the words to Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Sung by Audra McDonald.
Life is short, short, brother,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
And there is no other,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
You got to rock that rainbow
While you still got your youth,
Ain’t it the dignified truth!
Was a guy called Adam,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
He said: “Now look here, madam…”
(Ain’t it the truth!)
“You got to bite that apple
While you still got that tooth.”
Ain’t it the mellow truth!
Long as there’s wine and gin
To drown your troubles in,
What’s all this talk of sin?
Rise and shine
And fall in line.
Get that new religion
(Ain’t it the truth!)
‘Fore you is dead pigeon
(Ain’t it the truth!)
‘Cause when you layin’ horizontal
In that telephone booth,
There’ll be no breathin’ spell,
That’s only natur-ell,
Ain’t it the gos-a-pel truth!
Life is short, short, brother,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
And there is no other,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
So if you don’t love livin’
You is slightly uncouth,
Ain’t it the flexible truth!
Said that gal du Barry,
(Ain’t it the truth!)
“Love is cash and carry.”
(Ain’t it the truth!)
“You got to shake it down
Or stir it up with vermouth.”
Ain’t it the dignified truth!
Life is a ripplin’ brook,
Man is a fish to cook,
Go on and bait your hook,
Rise and shine
And heave that line!
Better get your possum
(Ain’t it the truth!)
While you’re still in blossom
(Ain’t it the truth!)
Cleopatra and Delilah
Had it way over Ruth:
Them gals did mighty swell,
They rang that Jeze-bell,
Ain’t it the gos-a-pel truth!
