'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) Lyrics

'TAIN'T WHAT YOU DO
James "Trummy" Young & Sy Oliver 1939

Ella Fitzgerald & ensemble w Chick Webb & his Orch
rec Feb 17th 1939 New York
also-
Trummy Young w Jimmie Lunceford & his Orch '39
Mildred Bailey w John Kirby & his Orch '39
Benny Goodman & his Orch '39
Fats Waller & his Rhythm '39
The Ray Ellington Quartet '59
Julie London '61
Banarama & Fun Boy Three '82
The Cliff adams Singers
Louis Armstrong
Terry Lightfoot & his Band
Ella Mae Morse

When I was a kid about half past three,
My ma said, "Daughter, come here to me";
Says, "Things may come and things may go,
But this is one thing you ought to know!"
Oh, 'tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it,
That's what gets results!

'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it,
That's what gets results!

You can try hard, don't mean a thing;
Take it easy, breezy, then your jive will swing!

Oh, it - 'tain't what you do, it's the place that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it,
'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it,
That's what gets results!
You've learned your A B C's
You've learned your D F G's,
But this is something you don't learn in school;

So get your hep boots on,
And then you'll carry on,
But remember if you try too hard,
It don't mean a thing, take it easy!

'Tain't what bring do, it's the way that you bring it,
'Tain't what swing do, it's the way that you swing it,
'Tain't what sing do, it's the way that you sing it,
That's what gets results!

(scat)
That's what gets results, rebop!