Swinging on a Star
Jimmy Van Heusen Lyrics

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

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Explore the mysteries of the universe and bring back something to share with others.

And be better off than you are
Do you strive to be more successful than you currently are?

Or would you rather be a mule
Would you rather be stubborn and uneducated?

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
A description of a mule's physical appearance.

Kicks up at anything he hears
Mules can be easily agitated and defensive.

His back is brawny but his brain is weak
Mules are strong and capable physically, but not necessarily smart or intelligent.

He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
Mules can be difficult to work with because of their stubborn nature.

And by the way, if you hate to go to school
If you don't like learning or education, you may end up like a mule.

You may grow up to be a mule
If you don't value education or hard work, you may struggle in life like a mule.

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

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Explore the mysteries of the universe and bring back something to share with others.

And be better off than you are
Do you strive to be more successful than you currently are?

Or would you rather be a pig
Would you rather be rude and unrefined?

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
A description of a pig's physical appearance.

His shoes are a terrible disgrace
Pigs don't wear shoes, but they are messy and unclean animals.

He has no manners when he eats his food
Pigs are notoriously unrefined and greedy eaters.

He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
Pigs are seen as lazy, unhealthy, and socially undesirable animals.

But if you don't care a feather or a fig
If you don't value manners or good hygiene, you may end up like a pig.

You may grow up to be a pig
If you don't prioritize your social skills or personal appearance, you may struggle in life like a pig.

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

Carry moonbeams home in a jar
Explore the mysteries of the universe and bring back something to share with others.

And be better off than you are
Do you strive to be more successful than you currently are?

Or would you rather be a fish
Do you want to be content with a simple, unremarkable life?

A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook
Fish are known for their simple and repetitive behavior.

He can't write his name or read a book
Fish don't have the ability to think or learn in the same way humans do.

To fool the people is his only thought
Fish are focused purely on their own survival and instinctual behavior.

And though he's slippery, he still gets caught
Despite their simple lives, fish are still vulnerable to harm and capture.

But then if that sort of life is what you wish
If you are content with a simple, unremarkable life, that is up to you.

You may grow up to be a fish
If you don't value personal growth or achievement, you may struggle in life like a fish.

A new kind of jumped up slippery fish
Potentially sarcastic comment about someone who thinks they are better than they really are or someone who has recently achieved success, but still lacks humility.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
There are plenty of mischievous or irrational people in the world.

Every day you meet quite a few
People with strange or unpredictable behaviors are not uncommon.

So you see it's all up to you
Your life is in your hands.

You can be better than you are
You have the ability to grow and achieve greatness.

You could be swingin' on a star
You could be successful and reaching for the stars.