Song lyrics to “If I Only Had the Nerve,” sung by Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion in the classic musical, The Wizard of Oz – written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Oh, it’s sad, believe me, Missy
When you’re born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve
But I could show my prowess,
Be a lion, not a mouse
If I only had the nerve
I’m afraid there’s no denying
That I’m just a dandy-lion
A fate I don’t deserve
But I could show my prowess
Be a lion, not a mouse
If I only had the nerve
I’d be brave as a blizzard
Tin man:I’d be gentle as a lizard
Scarecrow: I’d be clever as a gizzard
Dorothy: If the Wizard is a Wizard who will serve?
Scarecrow: Then I’m sure to get a brain
Tin man: A heart
Dorothy: a home
Cowardly Lion: the nerve
All together: We’re off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz
We hear that he is a whiz of a wiz
If ever a wiz was there
If ever, oh ever a wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because, because
Of the wonderful things he does
We’re off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz