Once Upon A Time
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


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Once upon a time
A girl with moonlight in her eyes
Put her hand in mine
And said she loved me so
But that was once upon a time
Very long ago

Once upon a hill
We sat beneath a willow tree
Counting all the stars and waiting for the dawn
But that was once upon a time
Now the tree is gone

How the breeze ruffled through her hair
How we always laughed as though tomorrow wasn't there
We were young and didn't have a care
Where did it go

Once upon a time
The world was sweeter than we knew
Everything was ours
How happy we were then
But somehow once upon a time
Never comes again





Once upon a time
Never comes again

Overall Meaning

Frank Sinatra’s “Once Upon A Time” is a nostalgic song about a past love that can never be resurrected, no matter how much one wishes for it. The song embarks on a reminiscence of a love story that has ended long ago. The lyrics depict a time in the past when the singer was in love with a girl with moonlight in her eyes, who had professed her love for him. They spent time together, sitting under a willow tree, counting all the stars, and enjoying the moment. They laughed as though tomorrow wasn’t there, and they never worried about anything. They were young and untroubled, but everything changed, and time passed away. They couldn't hold on to that moment, and they couldn't make that feeling stay.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time
A certain moment in time that brings back fond memories


A girl with moonlight in her eyes
A woman he was infatuated with, her beauty was spellbinding


Put her hand in mine
They held hands as a symbol of their mutual love


And said she loved me so
She expressed her affection for him


But that was once upon a time
However, that was a long time ago


Once upon a hill
A particular place that had significance in their lives


We sat beneath a willow tree
They cherished the moments they spent together in this serene setting


Counting all the stars and waiting for the dawn
They spent time stargazing, waiting patiently for the new day to begin


Now the tree is gone
That willow tree no longer exists, just like their relationship


How the breeze ruffled through her hair
A memory of a moment when the wind played with her hair


How we always laughed as though tomorrow wasn't there
They always lived in the moment and had fun as if it was their last day


We were young and didn't have a care
They were carefree, with no worries or responsibilities


Where did it go
He reflects on how their carefree days have passed in the blink of an eye


The world was sweeter than we knew
They didn't realize how good they had it until it was gone


Everything was ours
They felt like the world belonged to them and they were invincible


How happy we were then
They reminisce and remember how joyful they were together


But somehow once upon a time
However, the past is gone and they can never go back to that moment in time


Never comes again
The past can never be recreated, it's just a memory now




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARNEY ALES, DAVID HAMILTON, CLARENCE PAUL, CLARENCE O. PAUL, WILLIAM STEVENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

John-CVI TheBassPlayer

Once Upon a Time - Frank Sinatra
Once upon a time, A girl with moonlight in her eyes
Put her hand in mine, And said she loved me so
But that was once upon a time, Very long ago

Once upon a hill, We sat beneath a willow tree
Counting all the stars and waiting for the dawn
But that was once upon a time, Now the tree is gone

How the breeze ruffled through her hair
How we always laughed as though tomorrow wasn't there
We were young and didn't have a care, Where did it go

Once upon a time, The world was sweeter than we knew
Everything was ours, How happy we were then
But somehow once upon a time, Never comes again
Once upon a time, Never comes again



All comments from YouTube:

Kenneth Ott

This would have been an ordinary, albeit beautiful love song. But add the fabulous orchestration that Frank commanded, his voice , the phrasing and timing make this the best love song by the best singer of his time..hands down. Listen to it critically (rather than emotionally..hard to do) a few times and you will surely agree

Pam McPheron

It was like Frank and the orchestra are one organism. Totally in sync.

Joe Marshall

Nelson Riddle and his strings......what can you say?

MoBooks2

Sinatra does 'reminisce' songs better than anyone - it's practically his specialty.

maureen1938

Thank you for posting this truly beautiful share...one of Frankie's best ever songs and heaven knows he has sooooo many.

David Salinas

Once again the Master does it with grace, style, class and distinction. Dear Frank, we miss you.

Bruce Towell

Would be a great tune to sing in a club/doing a gig, but how does one fight back the tears?....just an amazing song!!

Jan Miller

Darrin struggles to contain his emotions in his live performance. It makes all that much more heartfelt and tender! Frank sings it. Darrin bleeds it.

Jackie Mcmeekin

Frank Sinatra sings this romantic song so beautifully and with passion! The words describe looking back on ones life and love! How great is this?

Jazzgent

Earth shatteringly heart breaking!!!

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