Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Once Upon A Time Today
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would like you to listen
Pay attention and listen
To a story that's old, but never stale
I would like you to listen
Pay attention and listen
To a twentieth century fairy tale
Once there was a princess
Once there was a guy
And they fell in love one wonderful day
But she was a princess
He was just a guy
So there was the royal devil to pay
They were ordered not to speak to one another
And they knew the sorrow that would bring
Still, they promised not to speak to one another
But they didn't promise not to sing
So beneath her window tenderly he sang
All the things he promised never to say
Once upon a time today
[2nd refrain:]
He collected lots of corny little phrases
Like "I love you, dear" and "You're for me"
But he found that when he set them all to music
They were just as good as poetry
So beneath her window tenderly he sang
"How about that happy ending in May?"
Once upon a time today
The lyrics of Irving Berlin's song "Once Upon A Time Today" tell the story of an impossible love between a princess and a commoner. The story, while ancient in its themes of societal castes and forbidden love, is portrayed as a twentieth-century fairy tale, suggesting its modernity and relevance. Despite the orders of their respective worlds not to speak to one another, the two lovers promise not to speak but break that promise by singing.
The singer, a commoner, collects cheesy phrases like "I love you, dear" and "You're for me" and sets them to music. He sings them beneath her window, promising the princess a happy ending in May. The song suggests that music and poetry are just as powerful as any spoken words, and the love between the two is conveyed through their songs, even though they cannot speak.
The story of "Once Upon A Time Today" speaks to the universal theme of forbidden love, but it suggests that music and poetry can transcend the limitations of reality. The singer's songwriting abilities show the power of music to express emotion and suggest that love can flourish through creativity and art, even in the face of societal restrictions.
Line by Line Meaning
I would like you to listen
Please give me your attention
Pay attention and listen
Make sure to focus and hear my story
To a story that's old, but never stale
This is a familiar tale, but it always feels new
To a twentieth century fairy tale
A love story from a modern era
Once there was a princess
In this story, there was a royal woman
Once there was a guy
Also in the story, there was an ordinary man
And they fell in love one wonderful day
They fell for each other on an exceptional day
But she was a princess
The woman was of noble birth
He was just a guy
The man was not high-ranking
So there was the royal devil to pay
Their love was forbidden and there would be consequences
They were ordered not to speak to one another
The couple was instructed not to communicate
And they knew the sorrow that would bring
They were aware of the sadness that would occur
Still, they promised not to speak to one another
They vowed to stay silent
But they didn't promise not to sing
They could still express themselves through music
So beneath her window tenderly he sang
He sang gently outside of her window
All the things he promised never to say
He spoke his true feelings that he had vowed to keep hidden
He collected lots of corny little phrases
He had many clichéd expressions
Like "I love you, dear" and "You're for me"
Such as 'I love you' and 'You belong to me'
But he found that when he set them all to music
He realized that when he put them to song
They were just as good as poetry
They were still heartfelt and meaningful
How about that happy ending in May?
He suggested a satisfying conclusion in the future
Once upon a time today
This story can happen anytime
Contributed by Lucas D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@showtunestarpower
Before I heard Ovenden sing this song, I always considered ONCE UPON A TIME TODAY a pretty song but rather mild. Thanks to Ovenden's more passionate delivery of the song, I've totally revised my thinking for this Berlin ballad. Thank you!
@DavidAsset78
Kim Criswell's voice is like nails on a blackboard. Julian Ovenden sings like an angel.
@terriharrold1504
Thank you from me too. Exciting listening.... Julian always completely nails whatever tune he is performing. Ethel Merman would be pleased with both.
@kuzzad
I would like you to listen
Pay attention and listen
To a story that's old, but never stale
I would like you to listen
Pay attention and listen
To a twentieth century fairy tale
Once there was a princess
Once there was a guy
And they fell in love one wonderful day
But she was a princess
He was just a guy
So there was the royal devil to pay
They were ordered not to speak to one another
And they knew the sorrow that would bring
Still, they promised not to speak to one another
But they didn't promise not to sing
So beneath her window tenderly he sang
All the things he promised never to say
Once upon a time today
He collected lots of corny little phrases
Like "I love you, dear" and "You're for me"
But he found that when he set them all to music
They were just as good as poetry
So beneath her window tenderly he sang
"How about that happy ending in May?"
Once upon a time today
@grantc4516
It's time for a major Broadway revival of this 1950 Irving Berlin musical.
@jumanalexander9295
AMAZING.. Thank you for posting this it really made my day.. Waiting for more😃😃