Joy to the World
Mantovani Lyrics


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Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singing

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I'd do
I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
Make sweet love to you
Sing it now

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shooting son-of-a-gun (oh yeah)
I said a straight shooting son-of-a-gun

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the world
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

I wanna tell you
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me





Joy to the world
All the boys and girls

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mantovani’s song “Joy to the World” convey a message of celebration and happiness. The singer begins by introducing Jeremiah, a bullfrog who was a good friend of his. The singer admits that he never fully understood what Jeremiah was saying, but he did help him drink his wine, which was always mighty fine. The lyrics then turn to an exuberant chorus, where the singer wishes joy to the world, to all the boys and girls, and to the fishes in the deep blue sea.


The next verse finds the singer imagining himself as the king of the world. If he were, he declares that he would throw away the negative and harmful things like cars, bars, and war, and instead make sweet love to the listener. The chorus then repeats before the song concludes with the singer stating that he loves the ladies, loves to have his fun, and is a “high life flyer” and “rainbow rider” who is “a straight shooting son-of-a-gun.”


Overall, the lyrics of “Joy to the World” appear to be about living life to the fullest and spreading happiness wherever one goes. While some of the lines may seem nonsensical or silly, given the lighthearted and optimistic tone of the song, they fit in well with the overall message of joy and positivity.


Line by Line Meaning

Jeremiah was a bullfrog
A friend of mine who I could never understand.


Was a good friend of mine
Despite our communication barriers, we enjoyed each other's company.


I never understood a single word he said
Jeremiah spoke in a way that was unfamiliar to me.


But I helped him a-drink his wine
Although I couldn't understand him, we shared a love for wine.


And he always had some mighty fine wine
Jeremiah was always in possession of a high-quality wine.


Joy to the world
Happiness to every person around the globe.


All the boys and girls now
This happiness is meant for everyone, including the youth.


Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Even the underwater creatures can experience this joy and happiness.


Joy to you and me
We should all celebrate this joy and happiness together.


If I were the king of the world
If I had absolute power over the world.


Tell you what I'd do
I will reveal my plans of action.


I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war
I would get rid of the sources of chaos and conflict in the world.


Make sweet love to you
I would replace violence and conflict with love and harmony.


You know I love the ladies
I have a preference for women.


Love to have my fun
I enjoy myself to the fullest.


I'm a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
I am a person who enjoys living a luxurious lifestyle and takes pride in their individuality.


A straight shooting son-of-a-gun (oh yeah)
I am an honest person who speaks their mind and doesn't mince words.


All the boys and girls
Everyone, regardless of gender, should experience this joy.


Joy to the world
This happiness should be spread all over the world.


I wanna tell you
I want to express something important.




Writer(s): Handel G F, Milner Edward Cecil

Contributed by Annabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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