Make Believe
Franz Allers;Barbara Cook;Stephen Douglass Lyrics

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Who cares if my boat goes upstream,
Or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?
I drift along with my fancy
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my hear is free.
And other times I wonder where's the mate for me?

The driftwood floating over the sea
Someday finds a sheltering lea,

So, somewhere there surely must be
A harbour meant for me.

I drift along with my fancy,

Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free.
And other times I wonder where's the mate for me?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Make Believe" by Franz Allers, Barbara Cook, and Stephen Douglass are about the singer's willingness to go with the flow, even if it means going upstream against the current. The singer is content with drifting along with their own fancy, and sometimes they feel lucky to have a free heart. However, they also wonder if there is a person out there who is meant to be their mate, and if they will ever find them. The use of nautical imagery, with references to boats, gales, drifting, and harbors, creates a sense of uncertainty and longing for the unknown.

The lyrics also suggest a certain amount of resignation to fate. The singer acknowledges that they have little control over the direction of their life, but they still have hope that they will eventually find a refuge or a companion. The final lines, "I drift along with my fancy / And other times I wonder where's the mate for me?", capture this ambivalence and suggest that the singer is still searching for a sense of purpose and connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Who cares if my boat goes upstream,
I don't care if my life takes me against the current,

Or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?
I don't care if life takes me wherever the wind blows,

I drift along with my fancy
I let my imagination take me wherever it will,

Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my hear is free.
Sometimes I feel grateful that I'm not tied down to anyone or anything,

And other times I wonder where's the mate for me?
But other times I wonder if I'll ever find someone to share my life with.

The driftwood floating over the sea
Like driftwood that floats aimlessly,

Someday finds a sheltering lea,
I hope to someday find a safe haven,

So, somewhere there surely must be
I believe there must be,

A harbour meant for me.
A place where I belong.

I drift along with my fancy,
I let my imagination take me wherever it will,

Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free.
Sometimes I feel grateful that I'm not tied down to anyone or anything,