If I Only Had a Brain

"If I Only Had a Brain" is a song featured in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz with music composed by Harold Arlen and lyrics written by E.Y. Harburg. The song is performed by the character Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger, when he meets Dorothy (Judy Garland).

Lyrics[]

Scarecrow:
I could while away the hours,
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin' while
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain

I'd unravel every riddle
For any individual,
In trouble or in pain
Dorothy:
With the thoughts you'd be thinkin'
You could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain

Scarecrow:
Oh, I could tell you why
The ocean's near the shore
I could think of things I never thought before
And then I'd sit, and drink some more

I would not be just nothin'
My head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain
I would dance and be merry,
Life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.

Gosh, it would be awful pleasin'
To reason out the reasons
For the things I can't explain
And perhaps I'll deserve you
And be even worthy erve you...
If I only had a brain!

v - e - d

Media
Films: The Wizard of Oz (soundtrack/video) • Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz • Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz Shows: 1990 Turner Entertainment TV series • Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz

Characters
Dorothy Gale • Toto • Scarecrow • Tin Woodman • Cowardly Lion • Glinda the Good Witch of the North • The Wicked Witch of the West • The Wizard of Oz • Aunt Em • Uncle Henry • Miss Almira Gulch • Professor Marvel • Hunk • Hickory • Zeke • Flying Monkeys • The Munchkins

Songs

The Wizard of Oz: Nobody Understands Me • Over the Rainbow • The Wonders of the World • Come Out, Come Out • Ding Dong the Witch is Dead • Follow the Yellow Brick Road • If I Only Had a Brain • We're Off to See the Wizard • If I Only Had a Heart • If I Only Had the Nerve • Optimistic Voices • The Merry Old Land of Oz • Bring Me the Broomstick • If I Were King of the Forest

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz: If I Only Had the Height
Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz: The Jitterbug • There's No Place Like Home • A Mighty Fine Affair • All Hail • Oh My, Oh My, Oh My • What's Mine is Mine
Musical: Red Shoes Blues • Farewell to Oz • Already Home

Objects
Ruby slippers • The Wicked Witch of the West's broomstick

Locations
Dorothy's farmhouse • Professor Marvel's Trailer • Munchkinland • Land of Oz • Emerald City • Field of Poppies • The Haunted Forest • The Wicked Witch of the West's Castle

See also
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer • Warner Bros. • Turner Entertainment