Album: Classic Disney Collection (1964)

License This Song 

• It's a small world, it's a small world
  It's a small world, it's a small world
  
  It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
  It's a world of hope and a world of fears
  There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware
  It's a small world after all
  
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all, it's a small, small, small, small world
  
  There is just one moon and one golden sun
  And a smile means friendship to everyone
  Though the mountains be wide and the oceans are wide
  It's a small world after all (Come on, come on)
  
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all (can you hear me now) it's a small world after all
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all, it's a small, small, small, small world
  
  It's a small world after all, no matter if you're big or small
  Come on everybody let's bounce to this
  Let's play some love with a little twist
  It's a small world, it's a small world
  
  It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
  It's a world of hope and a world of fears
  There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware
  It's a small world after all, it's a small world
  
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all
  (Everybody now) it's a small world after all, it's a small, small, small, small world (can you hear me now?)
  
  It's a small world after all (come on, come on)
  It's a small, small, small, small world (come on, come on)
  It's a small world, after all (can you hear me now?)
  
  It's a small world after all (come on, come on)
  It's a small world after all
  It's a small, small, small, small world (pretty small eh)
  
  It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all
  It's a small world after all, it's a small, small, small, small world
  It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all
  It's a small world after all, it's a small, small, small, small world Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

• Wendy Gilbert from Uk England 30 years ago I wrote new words to “It’s a small world after all” song to help my children off to sleep. I’de like my words to be heard but don't know where to start. Is it even possible to take a known tune and put your own words to it and have it recorded?
  
• Kev from Rogers, ArWell, I looked up the Japanese lyrics, and sure enough, I could understand them! They differ quite a bit from the English version, as, for example, there is a mention of "tears" but not of "fears". There is no mention of "just one moon and one golden sun", but there is the Japanese version of "a smile means friendship to everyone". No mention of mountains that divide or oceans that are wide" but rather, "Everyone form a circle and join hands". And instead of repeating "It's a small world after all" in the refrain, the Japanese version changes it a bit-- The world is small, the world is the same, the world is round, it's just one (world). I also found a video of the "Small World" boat ride at Tokyo Disneyland on You Tube. It's actually quite interesting, as the song is played in both English and Japanese and it's quite a colorful "trip" around the world.
• Kev from Rogers, ArI got the 45 rpm record as a birthday or Christmas present just after the '64 World's Fair. The A Side was all English, while the B Side was all foreign languages. At the time, the B Side was all gibberish to me. But I've studied a lot of those languages since then, so maybe I could understand those foreign lyrics now?
• AnonymousDoes anybody like this song?
• Rich from Portsmouth, Nhto Carol,s. Londonderry VT--likewise,in 1964 we went to the NY world's Fair--in my granddad's new Studebaker Lark!
  He was from W Burke VT! (I still remember walking up the spiral staircase inside the Statue of Liberty!)
  Rich F, Portsmouth NH.
• Augustine from Singapore, SingaporeAW MAN
  
  Although I like this song, please don't play it too much. Play it only during the clock parade. Felt like crying when I heard this song for the first time ever, but no longer now!
• Carol from S. Londonerry, VtI went to the 1964 World's Fair when I was 12 and of course we (I, my parents,and 3 younger siblings) had to go on the Small World ride, since it was so hyped. Within 3 minutes, we were wishing for those softballs, Caitlin! The spinning dolls and the incessant saccharin high-pitched singing was enough to send us crazy! Many years later, a friend in California told us that he took a church kids' group to Disneyland and the machines broke down for 45 minutes, but oh, no -- not the music. It was like a Twilight Zone episode.
• Caitlin from Upper Township, NjI think the ride would be better if every person got 4 or 5 softballs on the way in
• Rod from Phoenix, AzWe were on the Disney World ride many years ago when it broke down midway through. The music though never stopped. After sitting there for 35 minutes, hearing that song over and over, I wanted to get out and strangle the little bastards!
  
  Still a long running joke with my wife and I.
• Keith Major from Bristol, EnglandThis song brings back many happy memories from family visits to Disneyland.

More Songfacts:

Gangnam StylePsy

"Gangnam Style" refers to a section of Seoul, South Korea, that is very fashionable. The guy in the song has all the right moves and loves the ladies.

Undone - The Sweater SongWeezer

Weezer's "Undone - The Sweater Song" was written as a sad song about depression, but listeners heard it as a funny, ironic song.

What Do You Mean?Justin Bieber

After 47 visits to the Hot 100, Justin Bieber topped the tally for the first time on September 17, 2015 with "What Do You Mean?"

The A TeamEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran's first single was "The A Team," a song about a drug-addicted prostitute.

Love ShackThe B-52s

A pre-famous Rupaul is in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52s. He had a solo hit with "Supermodel" a few years later.

Papa Don't PreachMadonna

Madonna didn't write "Papa Don't Preach," which deals with abortion. What drew her to the song was the singer standing up to male authority.

Editor's Picks

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."