It's A Small World ( After All ) — The Mellomen Lyrics
Soundtrack: Classic Disney
It's A Small World ( After All ) Song Lyrics
It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
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
There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev'ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
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 world after all
It's a small, small world
Track Listing
Brad Kane and Lea Salonga
Elton John
Angela Lansbury
Samuel E. Wright
Elton John
Samuel E. Wright
Elton John
The Little Mermaid
Julie Andrews
Dick Van Dyke
Julie Andrews
Hayley Mills
The Beach Boys & Annette Funicello
Burl Ives
Paul Frees
J. Pat O'Malley
Kirk Douglas
Jud Conlon Chorus
Jimmy MacDonald
Ilene Woods
James Baskett
Tchaikovsky
Donald Novis
Adriana Caselotti
Mickey Mouse
Jerry Orbach and Angela Lansbury
Elton John
Jodi Benson
Brad Kane
Richard White
Paige O'Hara and Robby Benson
Julie Andrews
Al Kasha
Baroque Hoedown
Angela Lansbury
Phil Harris and Bruce Reitherman
Julie Andrews
Pearl Bailey
David Tomlinson
The Mellomen
The Mellomen
Mickey Mouse
Burl Ives
The Mellomen
James Baskett and Nick Stewart
Verna Felton
Ilene Woods
Cliff Edwards
The Seven Dwarfs
Pinto Colvig
Judy Kuhn
Randy Newman
Jeremy Irons
Tony Jay and Tom Hulce
Jeff Bennett
René Auberjonois
David Ogden Stiers
Danny Elfman
Paul Terry
The Mellomen
Richard White
Angela Lansbury
Julie Andrews
Louis Prima and Phil Harris
Roger Miller
John Davidson, Lesley Ann Warren
Mary Costa and Bill Shirley
George Givot
John Darling
Sterling Holloway
Bill Hayes
Paul Frees
The Sportsmen
Disney Studio Chorus
Otis Harlan, Billy Gilbert, Pinto Colvig, Roy Atwell, and Scotty Mattraw
Danny DeVito
Charles Kimbrough
Bill Farmer
Judy Kuhn
Susan Egan
Disneyland
Ken Page
Randy Newman
Angela Lansbury
Cliff "Ukelele Ike" Edwards
Nancy Adams
Phil Harris
J. Pat O'Malley
The Disney Chorus
Deborah Walley
Buddy Ebsen and Lesley Ann Warren
Peggy Lee
Maurice Chevalier
Paul Frees
Cliff Edwards
Eleanor Audley
Mary Costa
Larry Morey
Betty Noyes
Adriana Caselotti
"It's A Small World (After All)" was conceptualized for the 1964 New York World's Fair, origiinally as part of the "Children of the World" pavilion, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola for UNICEF. Walt Disney, inspired by a vision of global unity and peace, sought to create an attraction that showcased the diverse cultures of children around the world. The song, written by the Sherman Brothers, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, played a pivotal role in this attraction, aiming to convey a message of international harmony and understanding​​​​.
Main Message and Theme
At its heart, "It's A Small World (After All)" carries a potent meddage of global unity and peace. The lyrics emphasize our interconnectedness, despite geographical and cultural divides, and celebrate the diversity of the world's cultures. The song's catchy tune and simple, profound lyrics have made it a timeless anthem for peace and friendship, transcending language and cultural barriers to resonate with audiences worldwide​​.
The attraction, featuring dolls in traditional attire from various cultures, initially aimed to play the national anthems of each represented country. However, this resulted in a cacophony, leading to the decision to have a single, unifying song instead. The Sherman Brothers were tasked with creating this song, which needed to be simple enough to translate into multiple languages, reinforcing the fair's theme of "peace through understanding"​​​​.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Since its debut, "It's A Small World (After All)" has been installed in five Disney Parks across three continents, making it a global phenomenon. Despite mixed opinions on its repetitive nature, the song's underlying message of tolerance, empathy, and kindness remains relevant. Written in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it serves as a "child's prayer" for respect and love among all people​​.
The song's creators, the Sherman Brothers, did not receive continuous royalties for the song's play within the parks, as it was considered a work-for-hire. However, they do earn royalties when it's used outside of the parks, such as in TV shows or movies​​. Despite any controversies or criticisms regarding cultural stereotypes, the song's intention to promote unity and understanding continues to be celebrated.
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