You Did It
Rex Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it,
And indeed you did. I thought that you would rue it;
I doubted you'd do it. But now I must admit it
That succeed you did. You should get a medal
Or be even made a knight. Henry It was nothing.
Really nothing. Pickering All alone you hurdled
Ev'ry obstacle in sight. Henry Now, wait! Now, wait!
Pickering But you're the one who did it,
Who did it, who did it! As sturdy as Gibraltar,
Not a second did you falter. There's no doubt about it,
You did it! I must have aged a year tonight.
At times I thought I'd die of fright.
Never was there a momentary lull Henry
Shortly after we came in I saw at once we'd easily win;
And after that I found it deadly dull. Pickering
You should have heard the ooh's and ah's;
Ev'ry one wondering who she was. Henry
You'd think they'd never seen a lady before. Pickering
And when the Prince of Transylvania
Asked to meet her,
And gave his arm to lead her to the floor...! I said to him:
You did it! You did it! You did it!
They thought she was ecstatic
And so damned aristocratic,
And they never knew
That you
Did it! Henry Thank Heavens for Zoltan Karparthy.
If it weren't for him I would have died of boredom.
He was there, all right. And up to his old tricks.
Mrs. Pearce Karparthy? That dreadful Hungarian?
Was he there? Henry Yes.
That blackguard who uses the science of speech
More to blackmail and swindle than teach;
He made it the devilish business of his
"To find out who this Miss Doolittle is."
Ev'ry time we looked around
There he was, that hairy hound From Budapest.
Never leaving us alone, Never have I ever known
A ruder pest Fin'lly I decided it was foolish
Not to let him have his chance with her.
So I stepped aside and let him dance with her.
Oozing charm from ev'ry pore
He oiled his way around the floor.
Ev'ry trick that he could play,
He used to strip her mask away.
And when at last the dance was done,
He glowed as if he knew he'd won!
And with a voice to eager,
And a smile too broad, He announced to the hostess
That she was a fraud! Mrs. Pearce No!
Henry Ja wohl! Her English is too good, he said,
Which clearly indicates that she is foreign.
Whereas others are instructed in their native language
English people aren't.
And although she may have studied with an expert
Di'lectician and grammarian, I can tell that she was born
Hungarian! Not only Hungarian, but of royal blood,
she is a princess! Servants Congratulations,
Professor Higgins, For your glorious victory!
Congratulations, Professor Higgins!
You'll be mentioned in history! Rest of Servants
(Simultaneously) Congratulations, Professor Higgins!
For your glorious Victory! Congratulations,
Professor Higgins! Sing hail and hallelujah!
Ev'ry bit of credit For it all belongs to you!
Footman (Simultaneously with Rest of Servants)
This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it!
You said that you would do it And indeed you did.
This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it!
We know that we have said it,
But-you did it and the credit
For it all belongs to you!
The song "You Did It" is a celebratory tune sung by Pickering and Henry to congratulate themselves on the successful transformation of Eliza Doolittle into a high society lady in My Fair Lady. The lyrics are a back-and-forth conversation between the two men, with Pickering praising Henry's achievements and Henry attempting to deflect credit back to Pickering. In the end, they both agree that they have done a great job, exemplified by Pickering's exclamation of "You did it! You did it! You did it!"
However, the true climax of the song comes when Higgins reveals his motivations for transforming Eliza. He brags about outsmarting the Hungarian phonetics expert Zoltan Karpathy, who had been trying to uncover Eliza's background. Higgins claims that not only did he fool Karpathy, but he also revealed Eliza's true identity as a Hungarian princess. This twist underscores the extent of Higgins' arrogance and lack of concern for Eliza's well-being, as he treats her transformation as a mere experiment to bolster his own reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
Pickering Tonight, old man, you did it!
Pickering congratulates Henry on his success tonight.
You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it, And indeed you did.
Henry accomplished what he set out to do and succeeded.
I thought that you would rue it;I doubted you'd do it. But now I must admit it That succeed you did.
Pickering initially had doubts about Henry's success, but he proved him wrong.
You should get a medal Or be even made a knight.
Pickering suggests that Henry should be honored for his achievement.
It was nothing. Really nothing.
Henry downplays his success and gives credit to others.
All alone you hurdled Ev'ry obstacle in sight.
Pickering acknowledges Henry's determination in overcoming obstacles.
Now, wait! Now, wait! Give credit where it's due, A lot of the glory goes to you.
Henry is reminded to give credit to others who contributed to his success.
But you're the one who did it, Who did it, who did it! As sturdy as Gibraltar, Not a second did you falter. There's no doubt about it, You did it!
Pickering reinforces Henry's accomplishment and his unwavering determination.
I must have aged a year tonight. At times I thought I'd die of fright. Never was there a momentary lull
Pickering's nerves were tested throughout the night with ups and downs of the situation.
Shortly after we came in I saw at once we'd easily win; And after that I found it deadly dull.
Henry had predictable outcomes to the situation that were not challenging for him.
You should have heard the ooh's and ah's; Ev'ry one wondering who she was.
People were curious and excited about the woman Henry transformed.
You'd think they'd never seen a lady before.
Henry observes people's surprise and admiration for the transformed woman.
And when the Prince of Transylvania Asked to meet her, And gave his arm to lead her to the floor...! I said to him: You did it! You did it! You did it!
Henry takes credit for the Prince's admiration for the transformed woman and sees it as another success.
They thought she was ecstatic And so damned aristocratic, And they never knew That you Did it!
People saw the transformed woman as ecstatic and aristocratic, but they were unaware that Henry was responsible for it all.
Thank Heavens for Zoltan Karparthy. If it weren't for him I would have died of boredom. He was there, all right. And up to his old tricks.
Henry credits Zoltan Karparthy for helping him overcome boredom and sees him as a trickster.
Karparthy? That dreadful Hungarian? Was he there? Yes. That blackguard who uses the science of speech More to blackmail and swindle than teach; He made it the devilish business of his To find out who this Miss Doolittle is.
Mrs. Pearce expresses her disdain for Zoltan Karparthy and his unethical use of speech to manipulate people.
Ev'ry time we looked around There he was, that hairy hound From Budapest. Never leaving us alone, Never have I ever known A ruder pest
Zoltan Karparthy was present throughout the night and proved to be an annoying pest that wouldn't leave Henry and his team alone.
Fin'lly I decided it was foolish Not to let him have his chance with her. So I stepped aside and let him dance with her. Oozing charm from ev'ry pore He oiled his way around the floor. Ev'ry trick that he could play, He used to strip her mask away. And when at last the dance was done, He glowed as if he knew he'd won! And with a voice too eager, And a smile too broad, He announced to the hostess That she was a fraud!
Henry decided to let Zoltan Karparthy have a chance with the transformed woman, but he used his charm and tricks to reveal her true identity, which caused an uproar.
No! Ja wohl! Her English is too good, he said, Which clearly indicates that she is foreign. Whereas others are instructed in their native language English people aren't. And although she may have studied with an expert Di'lectician and grammarian, I can tell that she was born Hungarian! Not only Hungarian, but of royal blood, she is a princess!
Zoltan Karparthy accuses the transformed woman of being foreign and not English due to her good English. But he goes even further to reveal that she is, in fact, a Hungarian Princess.
Congratulations, Professor Higgins, For your glorious victory! Congratulations, Professor Higgins! You'll be mentioned in history! Congratulations, Professor Higgins! For your glorious Victory! Hail and hallelujah! Ev'ry bit of credit For it all belongs to you!
The servants congratulate and give all the credit to Professor Higgins for his success.
This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it And indeed you did. This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it! We know that we have said it, But-you did it and the credit For it all belongs to you!
The footman echoes the sentiment of the other servants in congratulating and giving credit to Professor Higgins for his success.
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ray Ngai
Pickering: Tonight, old man, you did it!
You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it,
And indeed you did. I thought that you would rue it;
I doubted you'd do it. But now I must admit it
That succeed you did. You should get a medal
Or be even made a knight.
Henry: It was nothing.
Really nothing.
Pickering: All alone you hurdled
Every obstacle in sight.
Henry: Now, wait! Now, wait!
Give credit where it's due, A lot of the glory goes to you.
Pickering: But you're the one who did it,
Who did it, who did it! As sturdy as Gibraltar,
Not a second did you falter. There's no doubt about it,
You did it!
I must have aged a year tonight.
At times I thought I'd die of fright.
Never was there a momentary lul
Henry: Shortly after we came in I saw at once we'd easily win;
And after that I found it deadly dull.
Pickering:You should have heard the ooh's and ah's;
Every one wondering who she was.
Henry:
You'd think they'd never seen a lady before.
Pickering:And when the Prince of Transylvania
Asked to meet her,
And gave his arm to lead her to the floor...! I said to him:
You did it! You did it! You did it!
They thought she was ecstatic
And so damned aristocratic,
And they never knew
That you did it!
Henry: Thank Heavens for Zoltan Karparthy.
If it hadn't been for him I would have died of boredom.
Mrs. Pearce: Karparthy? That dreadful Hungarian?
Was he there?
Henry: Yes.He was there, all right. And up to his old tricks.
That blackguard who uses the science of speech
More to blackmail and swindle than teach;
He made it the devilish business of his
"To find out who this Miss Doolittle is."
Every time we looked around
There he was, that hairy hound From Budapest.
Never leaving us alone, Never have I ever known
A ruder pest
Finally I decided it was foolish
Not to let him have his chance with her.
So I stepped aside and let him dance with her.
Oozing charm from every pore
He oiled his way around the floor.
Every trick that he could play,
He used to strip her mask away.
And when at last the dance was done,
He glowed as if he knew he'd won!
And with a voice too eager,
And a smile too broad, He announced to the hostess
That she was a fraud!
Mrs. Pearce: No!
Henry: Ja vol!
"Her English is too good", he said,
"That clearly indicates that she is foreign.
Whereas others are instructed in their native language
English people aren't.
And although she may have studied with an expert
Dilectician and grammarian
I can tell that she was born Hungarian!
Not only Hungarian, but of royal blood,
she is a princess!"
"Her blood", he said, "is bluer than the Danube is or ever was
Royalty is absolutely written on her face
She thought that I was taken in, but actually I never was
How could she deceive another member of her race?"
"I know each language on the map" said he, "and she's Hungarian as the first Hungarian rhapsody"
Servants: Congratulations,
Professor Higgins, For your glorious victory!
Congratulations, Professor Higgins!
You'll be mentioned in history! Rest of Servants
(Simultaneously) Congratulations, Professor Higgins!
For your glorious Victory! Congratulations,
Professor Higgins! Sing hail and hallelujah!
Ev'ry bit of credit For it all belongs to you!
Footman (Simultaneously with Rest of Servants)
This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it!
You said that you would do it And indeed you did.
This evening, sir, you did it! You did it! You did it!
We know that we have said it,
But-you did it and the credit
For it all belongs to you
Russ Davis
What a sad commentary on short-sighted upper class exploitation of Eliza Dolittle that continues today.
"The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated."
"Professor Henry Higgins : You see, the great secret, Eliza, is not a question of good manners or bad manners, or any particular sort of manners, but having the same manner for all human souls. The question is not whether I treat you rudely, but whether you've ever heard me treat anyone else better.
Eliza Doolittle : I don't care how you treat me. I don't mind your swearing at me. I shouldn't mind a black eye; I've had one before this. But I won't be passed over!
Professor Henry Higgins : Well then, get out of my way, for I won't stop for you. You talk about me as though I were a motor bus.
Eliza Doolittle : So you are a motor bus! All bounce and go, and no consideration for anybody. But I can get along without you. Don't you think I can't!
Professor Henry Higgins : I know you can. I told you you could. [pause] You've never wondered, I suppose, whether... whether I could get along without you.
Eliza Doolittle : Well, you have my voice on your phonograph. When you feel lonesome without me you can turn it on. It has no feelings to hurt.
Professor Henry Higgins : I... I can't turn your soul on.
Eliza Doolittle : Ooh, you are a *devil*. You can twist the heart in a girl the same way some fellows twist her arms to hurt her!"
Dewanga W.
Singing this to myself tonight - I JUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.....I DID IT!!
V.
Now there is college in case you forgot.
Prince Harming
Enjoy this Moment!! Congratulations!
Fredz Dimension
My father worked on stage productions of this show and my high school self feels for Eliza Dolittle in this scene because I put in so much work to graduate from high school only for everyone to praise one specific teacher for all the work I put in to go across that stage
John Tashjian
This film, as well as "The Sound of Music", are the fondest of memories that I have of a bygone era that today's Hollywood would excoriate.
Dora Holden
At the time Sound of Music was made, Hollywood was already changing along with the rest of the country into a new dimension. It was virtually a nostalgia piece at the time it came out.
In other words, it was just about the last of the line.
William Hutcheson
One of my favorite songs from my favorite musical.
MrJamieMurph4141969
My high school did this when I was a senior(now 33 years ago, to be exact), I played a dual role, as a background "bobby"(British slang term for policeman, after Sir Robert Peel who organized the London police force many years ago), and Chauffer Charles(Mrs. Higgins' chauffer to the Ascot races, and also in the Embassy waltz.) The "bobby" that I played happened to be coming along Wimpole Street(Professor Higgins' street, where Eliza had been staying)when Freddy asks of him, (in the play version),"Officer, I know this is Wimpole Street, but could you tell me which house is number..(whatever number Higgins' house was),and my line then was,"Right there, sir," to which Freddy says,"Oh, thank you." It's one of my favorite musicals also.
Damian Thorne
Rhyming "Budapest" with "ruder pest" is an Eminem level rhyme.
Dora Holden
Are you really comparing Alan Jay Lerner to a rap artist. you're so funny.