Track Title:               The Simple Life


Prime Artist:              Juliette Day
Lyrics by:                 Ira Gershwin     (b. Israel Gershvin)
Lyrics by:                 Arthur Francis (pseudonym for Ira Gershwin)
Music by:                  George Gershwin     (b. Jacob Gershvin)

Vocal:                     Vinton Freedley
From the Show:             A Dangerous Maid  1921 (S)


Lyrics:
Verse 1

[Elsie]
I've been all along the Gay White Way.
There I often turned the night to day.
So when coming to the country, I
Was sure I'd find
It would be an awful bore, but, my!
I've changed my mind.
With the gay and giddy whirl I'm through;
I would rather be a simple Sue.

Refrain 1

I love the simple life.
I'm here to stay.
Away from care and strife,
I'm making hay.

I love the humming of the bees;
I love the birdies;
I'll say it's great to be
Away from hurdy-gurdies.

Beside a babbling brook,
I love to sit
And read my cooking book,
Or else I can knit.

The life of Riley
Was praised very highly,
But the simple life for me.

Verse 2

[Blakely]
If ev'rything you say is really so,
I will leave the town where subways grow.
I am ready now to say good-bye
To hectic nights
And to leave without a single sigh.
Electric lights,
Rector's, Healey's, with you all I'm through;
And that goes for Greenwich Village, too.

Refrain 2

I love the simple life.
I'm here to stay.
Away from care and strife,
I'm making hay.

I love to chase the butterflies
And watch them flutter.
I think the greatest exercise
Is churning butter.

And when the day is done,
I love to rest
And watch the golden sun
Sink in the west.

The life of Riley
Was praised very highly,
But the simple life for me.

Contributed by Carlene Bogle