Whatever Will Be Will Be /Single Version
Doris Day; with Frank De Vol & His Orchestra Lyrics


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When I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?"
Here's what she said to me:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

When I was just a child in school,
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
Should I paint pictures"
Should I sing songs?"
This was her wise reply:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

When I grew up and fell in love.
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows
Day after day?"
Here's what my sweetheart said:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

Now I have Children of my own.
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Will I be handsome?
Will I be rich?"
I tell them tenderly:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,




What will be, will be.
Que Sera, Sera!"

Overall Meaning

The song Whatever Will Be Will Be, by Doris Day with Frank De Vol & His Orchestra, is a classic that speaks to the uncertainty of the future. The lyrics are about a woman who, as a young girl, asks her mother about her future, whether she will be pretty or rich. However, her mother tells her that whatever will be, will be, and the future is not hers to see. The woman then grows up, goes to school, and asks her teacher whether she should paint pictures or sing songs. Again, the wise reply is that whatever will be, will be, and the future is not hers to see. Later in life, the woman falls in love and asks her sweetheart what lies ahead. Again, the reply is the same as before; whatever will be, will be, and the future is not theirs to see. The song concludes with the woman now having children of her own who ask her about their future, and she tenderly assures them that whatever will be, will be.

The song is a simple yet powerful reminder that we cannot control the future, no matter how hard we try. It tells us to live in the present and not worry too much about what lies ahead. It is a beautiful song that has been loved by generations of people for many years.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was just a little girl,
As a child, I had many questions about my future.


I asked my mother, "What will I be?
I sought guidance from my mother regarding what my future holds.


Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?"
I inquired if I would grow up to be attractive and affluent.


Here's what she said to me: "Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be; The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera, What will be, will be."
My mother replied by telling me that the future is uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty.


When I was just a child in school, I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
As a young student, I approached my teacher for guidance concerning what career path I should follow.


Should I paint pictures" Should I sing songs?"
I wondered if my skills and talents would lead me to a career in the creative arts.


This was her wise reply: "Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be; The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera, What will be, will be."
My teacher counselled me with a wise saying, reassuring me that the future is uncertain and cannot be predicted with certainty.


When I grew up and fell in love. I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
When I became an adult and fell in love, I wanted to know what the future held for my relationship.


Will we have rainbows Day after day?"
I hoped that our love would bring me endless joy and happiness.


Here's what my sweetheart said: "Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be; The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera, What will be, will be."
My partner shared my belief that we cannot predict the future and need to embrace the uncertainty of life.


Now I have Children of my own. They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Now that I am a parent, my children ask me the same questions that I once asked my own mother.


Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?"
Just like me, they want to know if they will turn out to be attractive and affluent.


I tell them tenderly: "Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be; The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera, What will be, will be. Que Sera, Sera!"
I gently reassure my children that the future is out of our hands and that the best course of action is to live in the present and make the most of what we have.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAY LIVINGSTON, RAY EVANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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