Swinging on a Star
Doris Day Lyrics

Would you like to swing on a star
Do you want to achieve great things and reach for the stars?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Do you want to accomplish things that are difficult or impossible?

And be better off than you are
Do you seek for improvement and success?

Or would you rather be a mule?
Or would you rather settle for being average and not reaching your full potential?

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
A mule is an animal that may appear unique but lacks intelligence.

Kicks up at anything he hears
It reflexively responds to even the slightest provocation with aggression.

His back is brawny but his brain is weak
It has strength, yet it cannot use this aspect to go forward.

He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
It has limited cognitive abilities and is stubborn and unwilling to learn.

And by the way, if you hate to go to school
And recall, humans who choose not to place a value on learning and education end up like a mule.

You may grow up to be a mule
You may become a person without aspiration, and not living up to your full potential.

Or would you like to swing on a star
Or would you like set big goals and work towards achieving them?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Do you want to accomplish something that seems impossible?

And be better off than you are
Do you want a future that is a step up from where you are now?

Or would you rather be a pig?
Or, would you settle for mundane and lack personality?

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
A pig is an animal that is dirty, and not aware of its surroundings.

His shoes are a terrible disgrace
It is characterized by a careless nature and shows no concern about presentation.

He has no manners when he eats his food
It is rude, and lacks even basic table etiquette.

He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
It is out of shape, idle, and has misbehaved behavior.

But if you don't care a feather or a fig
If an individual in the world is content with being average or lack ambition,

You may grow up to be a pig
people will accept you as you are and avoid having any expectations.

Or would you like to swing on a star
Or, would you choose to set lofty ambitions and strive to achieve them?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Thinking beyond what is deemed possible and feeling accomplished.

And be better off than you are
Would you prefer having a better future compared to the present situation?

Or would you rather be a fish?
Or, would you choose to live life without having any control over your thought or destiny?

A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook
A fish carries out activities that require no mental prowess and operate on autopilot.

He can't write his name or read a book
Fish have a simple way of living, understanding of the world and lack the ability to educate and learn.

To fool the people is his only thought
Thinking about just one thing repeatedly without understanding the sense of an accomplishment.

And though he's slippery, he still gets caught
Without knowing the value of true freedom, a fish tends to make itself vulnerable and become easy prey.

But then if that sort of life is what you wish
However, if you want to lead a life with minimal responsibilities and effort,

You may grow up to be a fish
Then, people won’t push you to improve, and you will not grow up to your true potential.

A new kind of jumped-up slippery fish
Notwithstanding your indifference on personal growth or expertise, you still wish to be ahead without earning it.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
This is the truth: the world is filled with unexpected challenges and situations.

Every day you meet quite a few
There are challenges and circumstances that will arise every day that one has to deal with.

So you see it's all up to you
The decision to decide whether an individual wishes to develop and progress is something only they can settle.

You can be better than you are
Substitute negative thoughts with optimism, and you realize you can achieve more from what you have achieved.

You could be swingin' on a star
You will feel like you are out of this world when you reach better heights than that which you thought was possible before.