Como was also very popular in the UK. His chart successes ranged from 1953 to 1974 and included two number one's, his first hit 'Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes' in 1953 and 'Magic Moments' which stayed at the top for 8 weeks in 1958. His other big UK hits were 'Delaware' ( No 3 in 1960), ' It's Impossible' (No 4 in 1971) , 'And I Love You So' (No 3 in 1973), and 'For The Good Times' (No 7 in 1973).
As well as TV and recording success, Perry Como also made a number of films, including ' Something For The Boys' and 'Doll Face' which were released during WW2.
He died in his sleep on 12 May 2001.
Once Upon A Time
Perry Como Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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,
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!
The song "Once Upon A Time" by Perry Como is a melancholic remembrance of a time that was once beautiful but now lost. It's a song about nostalgia and how certain moments in life come and go, leaving us only with memories. The girl with moonlight in her eyes represents a time of innocence, when love was pure and unburdened. They were young and carefree, not worried about the future because they didn't know any better. But that was a long time ago, and things have changed. The girl is gone, and so is the tree they used to sit under. The memories are all that's left.
The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and wistfulness. The lines "We were young, and didn't have a care" and "The world was sweeter than we knew" highlight how the passage of time can change our perspective on things. The song is a reminder to cherish the present and not take anything for granted because "once upon a time" never comes again.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
In the past, there existed a period where something magical occurred
A girl with moonlight in her eyes
A girl with a certain sparkle or radiance in her eyes
Put her hand in mine
Held hands and shared a moment of intimacy with one another
And said she loved me so
Expressed her love towards the other person
But that was once upon a time
Unfortunately, that time has long passed
Very long ago!
A considerable amount of time has elapsed since the previously mentioned event
Once upon a hill
At another point in the past, the individuals in the story were on top of a hill
we sat beneath the willow tree
While on the hill, they sat under a willow tree
Counting all the stars
Engaged in an activity of counting the amount of stars in the night sky
And waiting for the dawn
Anticipated the arrival of the sunrise
Now, the tree is gone!
Sadly, the tree is no longer present
How the breeze ruffled through her hair
The way in which the wind moved her hair
How we always laughed
There were moments when they shared laughter
As though tomorrow wasn't there
There was not a single care in the world, felt comfortable in the present moment
We were young
At this point in time in the story, they were both young
And didn't have a care
No responsibilities or stress had taken hold in their lives
Where did it go?
Poses the question of where those carefree moments went
Once upon a time
Referencing the earlier phrase, there was another point in time which was truly wonderful
The world was sweeter than we knew
Everything in life felt better than one could have ever imagined
Everything was ours
The world belonged to them, they felt as though everything was in their grasp
How happy we were then
Both individuals were extremely happy during this previous period of time
But, somehow, once upon a time
However, time has changed the situation drastically
Never comes again!
This amazing time period can never be brought back, it is irretrievable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Strouse, Lee Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
shells500tutubo
Here is the entire song, with the woman's part after. These are some of the best lyrics I have ever seen.
ONCE UPON A TIME
Male voice
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 time, 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 up 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.
Female voice
Once upon a time it seemed the world was painted gold And there was a man and oh I loved him so.
The world was beautiful to see very long ago.
On a night like this we saw the rising of the moon, All the silver stars like necklaces were strung.
We spoke of such important things, we were very young.
Open hearts, nothing too conceal
Every little thought was so exciting to reveal.
All our dreams we knew would soon be real
Where did they 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.
Siboney Peltier
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 the 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!
Mark Blackburn
I was listening a moment ago to another song by Perry Como on Youtube. The very next offering was this one – ONCE UPON A TIME. I'd not heard Perry's recording of this – and it moved me to tears. I can't say why (can't find the words). Anyway, I was poised to leave a “comment” below the video. Then I read the lead comment this day by . . .
Darrell Shuck (2 years ago)
'Why do I keep playing this song. It makes cry every time. It's been four and half years since she went to a better place. I keep seeing her as she was . A beautiful lady inside and out. How I miss her!'
My reply to his comment]
Reading your words Darrell and weeping with shared emotion. Tears of joy. (The best kind, right?) Thank you for eliciting so much emotion – in so few words.
My own Dad outlived my Mom by four years. They were so musical, and when she died he couldn't even LOOK-at, let alone play, the Steinway in his living room (on which he'd written hundreds of tunes). After a late-in-life stroke, reduced him to six word sentences, I was visiting the family home one night when Dad sat down at the piano for the first time in four years and . . .
I'd like to say that then-and-there he played something beautiful. He did not. He couldn't play a single one of the songs he had written -- despite my prompting him, whistling and humming his own tunes. But then . . .
Dad began to play EMBRACEABLE YOU. I knew that he and Mom loved that song -- which reached the radio during the days they were courting. I never realized until that moment just how 'organically perfect' the notes of that Gershwin tune were to my own father's psyche. He played it a second time -- slowly, tentatively, but without a mistake. I wept tears of joy – sort of like now reading your words Darrell. Thank you so much for sharing.
Bruce Heysse
One of my parents favorite songs.......they were right again.
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 the 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!
William Teti
I guess for someone my age (81) this song says it all. Lost my wife of 55 years 14 months ago and "Once Upon a Time" brings back all the beautiful memories we shared. Sadly, as Perry says, once upon a time never comes again. This is for you, Dear.
Lisa Rose
William Teti I’m so sorry for your loss treasure the memories that’s what helps me I’m 52 but have had much loss this song actually helps me. But it will come again have faith in that🙏🏻🥰
Maria Lupe Melendez
Mr. Tell, my dear sweet sister 82yrs. lost her husband of 55 yrs. 2 mos ago. She helped raise 4 siblings and married a wonder husband whom we all loved. My heart goes out to her as she also lost two children as well! She has one daughter and two grandkids but there is such an empty space in her heart for very long ago will always be there. Bless you for your loss and empty days you must bare! Abuela Lupe (74 yrs old)
diva2469
wow
Kyreil
😞
Barbara Grissom Schneider
So sorry, William. 😪🙏🏼 I lost my husband right before Thanksgiving last year and understand how you feel. Hugs
kingsvow
"Once upon a time the world was sweeter than we knew". What a wonderfully poignant line. How many times I have thought the "grass is greener across the road" only to get there and find out it is not. Enjoy what you have...your spouse, your children, the joy of waking up to a sunny day, or a rainy day. We all have problems, but there is happiness all around us. Look for it. Embrace it.
walter johnson
Such timeless words and wisdom!
Matthew Rendino
What a beautiful thing to say!!!!!!!
Dianne Riviera
My young wife of 29 years passed away almost 2 and half years ago. Perry was her favourite and this song now has so much meaning to me.