Swinging On A Star
Big Dee Irwin feat. Little Eva Lyrics


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Would you like to swing on a star
(Oh, oh, oh)
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
(Oh, oh, oh)

And be better off than you are
(Oh, oh, oh)
Or would you rather be a mule
(Yeah, yeah, talking 'bout a mule now)

A mule is an animal
With long funny ears
He kicks up at anything he hears
(Just like you, Dee)

His back is brawny
And his brain is weak
He's just plain stupid
With a stubborn streak

And by the way
If you hate to go to school
(Which I do)
You may grow up to be a mule
(I don't wanna grow up
And be a mule)

Well, would you like to
Swing on a star (okay)
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
(One moonbeam, two moonbeam)

And be better off than you are
(Oh, oh, oh)
Or would you rather be a pig
(Yeah, yeah, talking 'bout a pig now)

A pig is an animal
With dirt on his face (yeah)
His shoes are a terrible disgrace
(Look who's talking)

He's got no manners
When he eats his food
(You gobble)
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude

But if you don't care
A feather or a fig
(That's the truth)
You may grow up to be a pig
(Not if I can help it, baby)

Oh, oh, oh (oh, oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
You could be swinging on a star

Oh, oh, oh, yeah
We could be swinging on a star
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
We could be swinging on a star
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
We could be swinging on a star




Oh, oh, oh, yeah
We could be swinging on a star

Overall Meaning

The song "Swinging On A Star" is a whimsical and fun tune filled with playful lyrics that asks listeners to consider whether they would rather be a mule or a pig or swing on a star and carry moonbeams home in a jar. The song implies that if listeners want to be better off than they currently are, they should choose to swing on a star. The song becomes more meaningful when one considers that it was released in 1963, during a time when the country was undergoing rapid changes in politics, society, and culture. It is possible that the song might have been interpreted as a call for listeners to aspire to something greater than what they currently are and to consider the potential that the future and a change of perspective could bring.


The first verse of the song introduces the concept of swinging on a star to listeners, describing how one can carry moonbeams home in a jar by doing so. The second verse offers a comparison between the listener and a mule, describing some less-than-pleasant characteristics of the animal. The third verse then compares the listener to a pig, again describing some less-than-pleasant characteristics of the animal. The song ends with a repetition of the first verse's encouraging message to swing on a star and be better off.


Line by Line Meaning

Would you like to swing on a star
Do you desire to experience something magical?


(Oh, oh, oh)


Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And bring home other-worldly beauty?


(Oh, oh, oh)


And be better off than you are
And be elevated from your current realities?


(Oh, oh, oh)


Or would you rather be a mule
Or would you prefer to be someone who acts stupid?


(Yeah, yeah, talking 'bout a mule now)


A mule is an animal
A mule is not a compliment.


With long funny ears
Its features are a source of humor.


He kicks up at anything he hears
It's obnoxious and irritating.


(Just like you, Dee)


His back is brawny
It appears quite strong.


And his brain is weak
But its intellect and abilities are laughable.


He's just plain stupid
The animal is rather dumb.


With a stubborn streak
And doesn't like being told what to do.


And by the way
Also, if you hate school,


If you hate to go to school


(Which I do)


You may grow up to be a mule
You may end up being like a mule (stupid and stubborn).


(I don't wanna grow up


And be a mule)


Well, would you like to
So, do you want to


Swing on a star (okay)
Experience something magical (again)?


Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Bring home something special? (again)


(One moonbeam, two moonbeam)


And be better off than you are
Elevate from your current realities (again)?


(Oh, oh, oh)


Or would you rather be a pig
Or would you prefer to be boorish and excessively lazy?


(Yeah, yeah, talking 'bout a pig now)


A pig is an animal
A pig is not a compliment.


With dirt on his face (yeah)
Its appearance is typically unkempt.


His shoes are a terrible disgrace
It doesn't take care of its appearance (like Dee).


(Look who's talking)


He's got no manners
He's also incredibly rude.


When he eats his food
And has bad table manners.


(You gobble)


He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
It's just lazy, rude, and all-around obnoxious.


But if you don't care
But if you don't mind being like a pig,


A feather or a fig
Or don't care about getting dirty or being rude,


(That's the truth)


You may grow up to be a pig
You may end up being like a pig (boorish, lazy and excessively rude).


(Not if I can help it, baby)


Oh, oh, oh (oh, oh, oh)


Would you like to swing on a star
Do you want to experience something magical (yet again)?


Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Bring home something special (yet again)?


And be better off than you are
Elevate from your current realities (yet again)?


You could be swinging on a star
You could be experiencing something magical.


Oh, oh, oh, yeah


We could be swinging on a star
We could all be experiencing something magical.


Oh, oh, oh, yeah


We could be swinging on a star
We could all be experiencing something magical.


Oh, oh, oh, yeah


We could be swinging on a star
We could all be experiencing something magical.


Oh, oh, oh, yeah




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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