Impossible Dream The
Richard Kiley Lyrics


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To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where
The brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
And to love, pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march
March into hell
For that heavenly cause
And I know
If I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart
Will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be
Better for this
That one man, scorned
And covered with scars
Still strove with his last
Ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable
The unreachable
The unreachable star
And I'll always dream
The impossible dream




Yes, and I'll reach
The unreachable star

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Richard Kiley’s song Impossible Dream talk about dreaming and fighting for what may seem impossible to achieve, but still striving with one’s last ounce of courage to reach it. The song’s verses mention different aspects of such a quest, including fighting unbeatable foes, bearing unbearable sorrows, running where the brave dare not go, righting wrongs, loving purely and chastely from afar, and trying when one’s arms are too weary. The lyrics suggest that such an impossible quest is worth pursuing, regardless of how hopeless or far away it may seem. One must be willing to fight for the right without questioning or pausing and be willing to march into hell for that heavenly cause. If one will only be true to this glorious quest, their heart will lie peaceful and calm when they are laid to rest. The world will be better for this if one man, scorned and covered with scars, still strives with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.


Line by Line Meaning

To dream the impossible dream
To have a vision that is perceived as impossible or unrealistic to achieve


To fight the unbeatable foe
To confront and challenge an opponent or obstacle that seems invincible or impossible to overcome


To bear with unbearable sorrow
To endure and live with an overwhelming amount of emotional pain or grief


And to run where The brave dare not go
To venture into dangerous or challenging territories that requires immense courage and bravery


To right the unrightable wrong
To correct or fix a situation that is perceived to be unjust or wrong, even if it appears impossible to change


And to love, pure and chaste from afar
To have a deep and meaningful connection with someone, in a way that is pure, innocent and respectful, even if that relationship is not physically attainable


To try when your arms are too weary
To persist and keep going despite feeling physically or emotionally exhausted and drained


To reach the unreachable star
To aspire and aim for something that is seemingly impossible or out of reach, but still worth striving for


This is my quest
This is my personal journey or pursuit of something important and meaningful to me


To follow that star
To pursue and seek after one's aspirations and dreams with focus and determination


No matter how hopeless
Regardless of the challenges or obstacles faced, one will persevere and not lose hope


No matter how far
Regardless of the distance or amount of effort or time required to achieve one's goal, they will persist in their pursuit


To fight for the right
To defend and stand up for what is just and right


Without question or pause
Without hesitation or doubt, one will take action in defense of their beliefs and values


To be willing to march
To be ready to move forward and act on one's principles and convictions


March into hell
To face and confront the most difficult and challenging situations or environments, no matter the risk or difficulty


For that heavenly cause
For something of great importance and significance, even if it requires sacrifice or struggle


And I know If I'll only be true
I am confident that if I remain committed and loyal to my goals and values


To this glorious quest
To this wonderful and worthy endeavor


That my heart Will lie peaceful and calm
I will have a sense of inner peace and contentment, knowing that I have pursued something meaningful and true to myself


When I'm laid to my rest
At the end of my life, when I can reflect on my journey and accomplishments


And the world will be Better for this
As a result of my efforts and actions, the world will have improved or changed in a positive way


That one man, scorned And covered with scars Still strove with his last Ounce of courage
Although faced with ridicule and scars from previous battles, the individual persists with all their remaining strength and bravery


To reach the unreachable The unreachable The unreachable star
To achieve a goal that seems impossible or unattainable, but is still worth striving for and reaching towards


And I'll always dream The impossible dream
I will always aspire to achieve and dream of pursuing something that may seem impossible, but will still pursue it with all my passion and determination


Yes, and I'll reach The unreachable star
I am determined to achieve and reach even the most impossible and difficult goals in my life




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe Darion, Mitchell Leigh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@hugohackenbush1554

No matter how many times I watch and hear Richard's voice I can't help but let the tears stream down my boat. In my 60s now and I used to listen to the original Broadway cast album [my Ma's] near enough every day as a kid. This song has always touched whatever good there is in me. R.I.P Mr Richard Kiley 🙏🏼

@researcher37A

Same- I listened to my parents album as well! Dad made me listen with the headphones because he got tired of hearing it!

@hugohackenbush1554

@@researcher37A Oh that's a terrific memory. I can just picture those big old cans. Thank you for sharing that.

@kathywilliamson1826

I first heard it in 1970. I am almost 70. And still sob by the end of the introduction.

@hugohackenbush1554

@@kathywilliamson1826 We are blessed Kathy, that we both know real music and are able to let the tears flow freely without fear.

@dee_dee_place

Same here. I'm 64, & I can still sing all the lyrics to all the songs from that album, which I still have. I'm surprised I didn't completely wear it out. Mom saw Mr. Kiley on Broadway when it premiered. I saw Mr. Kiley 15 yrs later when the show toured in Florida. I cried, happy tears that evening.

4 More Replies...

@geoffreygoldberg7326

I saw Richard Kiley at the OKeefe Centre in Man of La Mancha, Magnificent

@rjs1jd

Whos here from "COLUMBO" "A FRIEND INDEED" ?

He's one of my favorite "guest" actors on my favorite shows like Gunsmoke and Columbo! He made these shows that much better its like adding a "cherry" to a good pie and making it irresistible in the END!

@dee_dee_place

My Mom saw Mr. Kiley on Broadway when "Man Of La Mancha" premiered on Broadway. She brought home the soundtrack album of the show. I learned every song by heart & hoped that one day, I too could see Mr. Kiley perform his role as Don Quixote de La Mancha. Fast forward 15 years later, in my 20s, I did just that. I cried the entire time Mr. Kiley sang. What A Joy! I still have the original album, btw.

@pamzavada5269

Thank you Aunt Mary, you beautiful soul, for taking me to see this when I was a little girl! I love you!!!

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