Once Upon A Time
Tony Bennett; Arranged & conducted by Marty Manning with Ralph Sharon Lyrics
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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 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 Tony Bennett is a nostalgic ballad about the fleeting nature of happiness and the bittersweet memories of love lost. The lyrics paint a picture of a beautiful, romantic past that can never be recaptured. The first verse describes a girl with "moonlight in her eyes" who once professed her love for the singer. However, that time has passed, and the singer is left only with memories of a long ago love.
The second verse describes a happy moment shared by the two lovers beneath a willow tree as they counted the stars and waited for the dawn. But like the tree itself, that moment too has disappeared into the past. The lyrics create a sense of wistful longing for a time when things were simpler and love was pure.
The last verse reflects on how the world was once so much sweeter than they even knew. The couple had everything in the world, and they were so happy. But once upon a time, as the song says, never comes again.
Overall, the song is a haunting reminder that our happiest moments are often fleeting and that we should cherish them while they last.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, a girl with moonlight in her eyes
Once, a long time ago, I met a girl whose eyes sparkled like the moon.
Put her hand in mine and said she loved me so
She took my hand and expressed her love for me.
But that was once upon a time, very long ago
Unfortunately, this happy memory is from a time that has passed and cannot be relived.
Once upon a time, we sat beneath a willow tree
There was a time when we spent moments relaxing under a willow tree.
Counting all the stars and waiting for the dawn
While seated below the tree, we gazed at the stars and waited for the morning.
But that was once upon a time; now the tree is gone
However, that moment is also locked in the past, and the tree has since disappeared.
How the breeze ruffled up her hair
I remember how the wind would blow and play with her hair.
How we always laughed as though tomorrow wasn't there
She and I laughed without worry about the future, living in the joyful moment.
We were young and didn't have a care
Back then, we were carefree and without responsibility.
Where did it go?
I wonder why those days of happiness and youthfulness had to pass so quickly.
Once upon a time, the world was sweeter than we knew
There was a specific time where the world appeared even kinder.
Everything was ours; how happy we were then
During this time, we were joyous and satisfied with all that was around us.
But, somehow, once upon a time never comes again
Unfortunately, one cannot return to the past, and such a joyful moment can only exist as a memory.
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
@terryrandall3448
I love this song. Reminds me when I was 15-16 years old
@UrsusSpartacusIII
This Song posesses the ability to express the boundless limits of the Human Heart !
@tomm9540
Certain Singers have a Voice like a bell.....Tony Bennet, Petula Clark and may others
@RobertSmith-gr7cl
May, no matter our age, we never lose such haunting eternal beauty, from our heart and souls.
@johnmatos6622
Comes to mind often,,great song...time goes by fast.
@egopotato
What a wonderful video! Thanks for sharing.
@johnmatos6622
This so is an indication of how fast time goes..the things that were there before are no longer there ,the people are no longer there,,,all thats left are memories of those places and people and people that meant so much to you.....once upon a time.
@DebdenJohnny
John Matos Beautifully written and so true. When one is young time seems endless. Now at 82 years old I’m fully aware of time slipping away, The song ‘Once Upon a.Time’ stirs up a poignant memory for me because “Once upon a time, a girl with moonlight in her eyes, put her hand in mine and said she loved me so.”
@kavehsalimi9
❤️
@Rizzless02
Man...