You've Got To Do It

Written by Fred Rogers | © 1969, Fred M. Rogers

You can make-believe it happens, or pretend that something's true.
You can wish or hope or contemplate a thing you'd like to do,
But until you start to do it, you will never see it through
'Cause the make-believe pretending just won't do it for you.

You've got to do it.
Every little bit, you've got to do it, do it, do it, do it
And when you're through, you can know who did it
For you did it, you did it, you did it

If you want to ride a bicycle and ride it straight and tall,
You can't simply sit and look at it 'cause it won't move at all.
But it's you who have to try it, and it's you who have to fall (sometimes)
If you want to ride a bicycle and ride it straight and tall.

You've got to do it.
Every little bit, you've got to do it, do it, do it, do it
And when you're through, you can know who did it
For you did it, you did it, you did it

If you want to read a reading book and read the real words too,
You can't simply sit and ask the words to read themselves to you.
But you have to ask a person who can show you one or two
If you want to read a reading book and read the real words, too.

You've got to do it.
Every little bit, you've got to do it, do it, do it, do it
And when you're through, you can know who did it
For you did it, you did it, you did it

It's not easy to keep trying, but it's one good way to grow.
It's not easy to keep learning, but I know that this is so:
When you've tried and learned you're bigger than you were a day ago.
It's not easy to keep trying, but it's one way to grow.

You've got to do it.
Every little bit, you've got to do it, do it, do it, do it
And when you're through, you can know who did it
For you did it, you did it, you did it

Notes

A birthday cake version of this song is sung on Episode 1049: "If you want to make a birthday cake and make it good to eat / You can't simply sit and look at it, you've got to stir and beat / You have got to sift the flour, break the eggs and stir and beat / If you want to make a birthday cake and make it good to eat / You've got to do it..."

A juggling version of this song is sung on Episode 1198: "If you want to juggle juggling balls and juggle in the air / You can't simply stand and look at them because they won't move from there / But it's you who has to throw them and it's you who has to care / If you want to juggle juggling balls and juggle in the air / You've got to do it..."

Performed by the Royal Button Band in Episode 1064.

Appearances

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

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• 1049
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CDs, Records, and Tapes

• I Am, I Can, I Will - Tape 6 - Trying Again
• Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Musictivity)
• You Are Special (7" Vinyl)
• You Are Special (Album)
• You're Growing (CD)

Home Video

• Helping Children Understand