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"A Hymn to Him" is a song featured in the 1964 film My Fair Lady with music written by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. In the song, Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) ponders why Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) has left and calls around trying to find her. Before he leaves, however, he ponders why she could have left.

Lyrics[]

Higgins:
What in all of heaven could've prompted her to go
After such a triumph as the ball?
What could've depressed her?
What could've possessed her?
I cannot understand the wretch at all

Women are irrational, that's all there is to that
Their heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags
They're nothing but exasperating, irritating
Vacillating, calculating, agitating
Maddening and infuriating hags

Pickering:
Hmm?

Higgins:
Yes...

Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square
Eternally noble, historically fair
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat

Well, why can't a woman be like that?
Why does ev'ryone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do ev'rything their mothers do?

Why don't they grow up- well, like their father instead?
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please
Whenever you are with them, you're always at ease
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?

Pickering:
Of course not!

Higgins:
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?

Pickering:
Nonsense.

Higgins:
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?

Pickering:
Never.

Higgins:
Well, why can't a woman be like you?

One man in a million may shout a bit
Now and then there's one with slight defects
One, perhaps, whose truthfulness you doubt a bit
But by and large we are a marvelous sex

Why can't a woman take after like a man?
Cause men are so friendly, good natured and kind
A better companion you never will find
If I were hours late for dinner, would you bellow?

Pickering:
Of course not!

Higgins:
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?

Picking:
Nonsense.

Higgins:
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?

Pickering:
Never.

Higgins:
Well, why can't a woman be like us?

Mrs. Pearce, you're a woman...

Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps
Ready to help you through any mishaps
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum
Why can't a woman be a chum?

Why is thinking something women never do?
Why is logic never even tried?
Straight'ning up their hair is all they ever do
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?

Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball
Been hailed as a princess by one and by all

Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing?
And carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?

v - e - d
My Fair Lady transparent logo
Media
My Fair Lady (soundtrack/video)
Characters
Eliza DoolittleProfessor Henry HigginsAlfred P. DoolittleColonel PickeringMrs. HigginsFreddy Eynsford-HillZoltan KarpathyMrs. PearceMrs. Eynsford-Hill
Locations
Covent GardenHiggins's HouseLondonAscot RacecourseEmbassy Ball
Songs
Why Can't The English?Wouldn't It Be Loverly?With A Little Bit Of LuckI'm an Ordinary ManJust You WaitThe Rain in SpainI Could Have Danced All NightAscot GavotteOn the Street Where You LiveYou Did ItShow MeGet Me To The Church On TimeA Hymn to HimWithout YouI've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
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