Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
It'll Come to You
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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When life catches up with the flaming youth
Someone tries to tell them the awful truth
I would send them ignorant on their way
To those little innocents I would say
[1st refrain:]
Don't worry so about the things that you don't know
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
Don't be concerned about the things you haven't learned
If you can't express just what you're thinking of
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
No one teaches a duck how to swim or a bird how to fly
They're not taught to do what they ought to do
Why should you and I?
Don't be afraid because you're such a bashful maid
When you're strolling 'neath the silv'ry moon
You may be shy but pretty soon
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
[2nd refrain:]
Don't start to plan to rebuff a fresh young man
When you're in a cab and he starts making free
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
Don't lie awake and think of answers you might make
When he starts to put his hand upon your knee
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
No one teaches a mule how to kick or a dog how to bite
They know what to do and what not to do
When they're out at night
Don't be undone because the first round has been won
He begins to think that you're a dunce
It seems you're lost, then all at once
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
The song "It'll Come to You" by Irving Berlin is a lighthearted and encouraging tune that advises the youth not to worry too much about the things they don't know, especially when it comes to matters of love. The first verse sets the stage by acknowledging the reality that as we grow older, we're bound to discover the harsher aspects of life that we may not have been aware of before. However, the singer suggests that they should still let the young, innocent people enjoy their lives and not burden them with worries.
The first refrain goes on to elaborate on the idea that when the time comes, people will naturally know what to do, even if they haven't been explicitly taught. The singer gives examples of how animals know how to swim, fly, kick and bite without being taught, and reasons that humans, too, will instinctively know what to do in romantic situations. The second refrain advises young girls not to worry about how to react if a young man tries to make advances on them because, in the end, it will come to them and they'll instinctively know what to do.
Overall, the song is a joyful and uplifting reminder that we should trust in ourselves and trust that we'll know what to do when things come our way.
Line by Line Meaning
When life catches up with the flaming youth
When reality sets in for young and passionate people
Someone tries to tell them the awful truth
Someone tries to warn them about the hardships of life and love
I would send them ignorant on their way
I would let them go without any intervention
To those little innocents I would say
To those naive and inexperienced people, I would give this advice
Don't worry so about the things that you don't know
Don't stress over things you haven't learned yet
When the time comes and you find yourself in love
When you experience love for the first time
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
You will instinctively know how to handle the situation
If you can't express just what you're thinking of
If you can't find the words to say what you mean
Don't be concerned about the things you haven't learned
Don't stress over knowledge you haven't acquired yet
No one teaches a duck how to swim or a bird how to fly
Some things come naturally, without formal instruction
They're not taught to do what they ought to do
They know instinctively what they should do
Why should you and I?
Why should we be any different?
Don't be afraid because you're such a bashful maid
Don't be scared because you're shy
When you're strolling 'neath the silv'ry moon
When you're walking under the moonlight
You may be shy but pretty soon
You may feel timid, but soon enough
Don't start to plan to rebuff a fresh young man
Don't plan to reject a young man too quickly
When you're in a cab and he starts making free
When you're in a car and he starts getting flirty
Don't lie awake and think of answers you might make
Don't stay up all night worrying about what to say
When he starts to put his hand upon your knee
When he starts making physical advances
No one teaches a mule how to kick or a dog how to bite
Some instincts are inherent in animals
They know what to do and what not to do
They know what actions are appropriate and which are not
When they're out at night
When they're in unfamiliar surroundings
Don't be undone because the first round has been won
Don't give up just because someone seems to have the upper hand
He begins to think that you're a dunce
He might underestimate you
It seems you're lost, then all at once
You might appear to be flustered, but suddenly
It'll come to you, you'll know what to do, it'll come to you
You will instinctively know how to handle the situation
Contributed by Kayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.