Main Title
Richard Hartley Lyrics
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How do you get to Wonderland
Over the hill or underland
Or just behind the tree
When clouds go rolling by
They roll away and leave the sky
Where is the land beyond the eye
Where can it be
Where do stars go
Where is the crescent moon
They must be somewhere in the sunny afternoon
Alice in Wonderland
Where is the path to Wonderland
Over the hill or here or there
I wonder where
Richard Hartley's "Main Title" is the opening theme to the 1985 American musical-fantasy film "Alice in Wonderland." The song comprises of thought-provoking lyrics that provide a glimpse into the story's magical world. The opening lines "How do you get to Wonderland, Over the hill or underland, Or just behind the tree" indicate the surreal nature of the story where Alice's journey to Wonderland can be taken through various ways. The contrasting landscapes of over the hill, underland, or just behind the tree represent Alice's curiosity and urge to explore the unknown.
The following lines state "When clouds go rolling by, They roll away and leave the sky, Where is the land beyond the eye, That people cannot see." The lyrics here reveal Alice's sense of wonder and curiosity towards where the clouds disappear, and what lies beyond the visible horizon. The line, "Where can it be, Where do stars go, Where is the crescent moon," emphasizes Alice's search for something unknown, surreal and beautiful, probably something beyond explanation and imagination.
The song reaches its crescendo with the line "Alice in Wonderland, Where is the path to Wonderland, Over the hill or here or there, I wonder where?" The theme here again highlights Alice's pursuit, her search for a path to Wonderland, and her optimistic willingness to look for it wherever possible, "over the hill or here or there."
Line by Line Meaning
Alice in Wonderland
The subject of the song is Alice in Wonderland
How do you get to Wonderland
The singer wants to know the path to get to Wonderland
Over the hill or underland
The singer suggests two options for reaching Wonderland: over the hill or through underground tunnels
Or just behind the tree
The singer suggests a third option for reaching Wonderland: behind a tree
When clouds go rolling by
The singer observes the movement of the clouds
They roll away and leave the sky
The clouds move away and reveal the sky
Where is the land beyond the eye
The singer wonders if there is a land beyond what can be seen
That people cannot see
The singer suggests that this land is hidden from view
Where can it be
The singer continues to question the location of this hidden land
Where do stars go
The singer ponders where the stars disappear to during the day
Where is the crescent moon
The singer questions the whereabouts of the crescent moon
They must be somewhere in the sunny afternoon
The singer suggests that these celestial bodies must be somewhere, even though they cannot currently be seen
Alice in Wonderland
The subject of the song is Alice in Wonderland
Where is the path to Wonderland
The singer reiterates the question of how to reach Wonderland
Over the hill or here or there
The singer suggests two more options for reaching Wonderland, potentially implying that the path is not clear
I wonder where
The singer expresses their curiosity and confusion as to how to reach Wonderland
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: QUINCY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind