"Children of the World" was the working title of the attraction Walt Disney only called "the happiest cruise that ever sailed" (and never "It's a Small World"). The attraction's tentative soundtrack design featured each national anthem, playing all at once, which resulted in a cacophonous noise. Walt demonstrated the miniature mock-up to his staff songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. As he and the Sherman Brothers walked through Walt said, "I need one song." A single song for the attraction which could be easily translated into many different languages and which could be played in all round. The Sherman Brothers wrote "it's a small world (after all)" in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which influenced the song's message. They first presented "it's a small world (after all)" to Walt by singing in counterpoint while walking through the mock-up. In the spirit of international unity, "it's a small world (after all)" was sung and recorded in various studios around the world – by a church choir in London, TV performers in Mexico City, a school chorus in Rome, and by local children from Tokyo and California.
It is argued that this song is the single most performed and most widely translated song on earth. The song's tune and lyrics are the only Disney creations never to be copyrighted, as UNICEF requested, and can be heard worldwide on musical devices ranging from keyboard demos to ice cream trucks, it remains "a gift to the children of the world."
The song being considered annoying by some people is referenced in The Lion King, as when Scar assumed the throne of Pride Rock and took Zazu as his prisoner, he made him sing songs to him, preferably those with a little "bounce" in it, prompting Zazu to start singing "It's a Small World", only to be almost immediately cut off by Scar, who clearly despised the song. Also, in the Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama, Dr. Drakken is shown using a torture chamber, where a man is trapped in a room with singing dolls performing this song.
In addition to The Lion King, part of the song was hummed by Timon in The Lion King 1½ while waiting for Pumbaa with the snacks before he accidentally picked his nose.
The song was also performed on The Muppet Show in the Spike Milligan episode, paying tribute to the Muppets' favorite country: Disneyland. The set mimics the Mary Blair-designed sets of the ride and the characters that are singing the song bob up and down in a manner similar to that of the ride's animatronic figures.
Fan 3 covered "It's a Small World" on Disneymania 3, but she made up her own rap verses and hooks. Baha Men previously sang "It's a Small World" on Disneymania 2, and the end credits of Around the World in 80 Days. The song is also featured on We Love Disney and has been used in Disney On Ice shows. In Ant-Man, Luis can be heard whistling it while undercover.
It was partly sung in The Golden Girls episode "Two Rode Together", in the tune of the song "As Time Goes By".
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
It's a world of wonder, a world of worth
And in years to come we'll know peace on earth
We will open our eyes
And we'll all realize
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
(Jingle Bells verse)
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Ha ha ha!
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to sing a sleighing song tonight!
Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope and a world of fears
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world!
(Islands variant of Jingle Bells)
Splashing through the foam in a seahorse we sashay
O'er the reefs we go
Laughing all the way
Ha ha ha!
Shells on bubbles gleam
Making treasures bright
Oh, what fun it is to sing a mermaid song tonight!
Oh, Jingle Shells, Jingle Shells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to glide beneath the salty spray
Jingle Shells, Jingle Shells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to glide beneath the salty spray!
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope and a world of fears
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all!
Jingle Shells, Jingle Shells
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to glide beneath the salty spray
Jingle Shells, Jingle Shells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to glide beneath the salty spray!
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world!
(Deck the Halls verse)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
See the blazing Yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world!
Television:Find Out Why • Timon & Pumbaa • Timon and Pumbaa's Wild About Safety • The Lion Guard • It's UnBungalievable! Soundtracks:The Lion King • Rhythm of the Pride Lands • The Legacy Collection • The Lion King Collection • Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride • Best of the Lion King • The Lion King 1½: Songs from Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure • Original Broadway Cast Recording • Festival of the Lion King • The Legend of the Lion King • The Lion Guard • The Lion King (2019 film) • The Lion King & Jungle Festival: Rhythms of the Pride Lands Video games:The Lion King • Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games • The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure • Kingdom Hearts II • Animated Storybook: The Lion King • Disney Universe • Disney Infinity: 2.0 Edition • Adventures in Typing with Timon and Pumbaa • Activity Center • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride: Active Play • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride GameBreak • The Lion King 1½ • Disney Crossy Road • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Kingdom Hearts III • Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King • Disney Classic Games Collection • The Lion King: Operation Pridelands Books:Marvel Comics • The Art and Making of The Lion King • The Lion Guard: Can't Wait to be Queen Cancelled projects:The Lion Guard: Hear Me Roar! • The Lion King Family Tree
Season One: "Boara Boara" • "Saskatchewan Catch" • "Kenya Be My Friend?" • "Good Mousekeeping" • "Brazil Nuts" • "South Sea Sick" • "Never Everglades" • "Cooked Goose" • "Yukon Con" • "Doubt of Africa" • "How to Beat the High Costa Rica" • "Swiss Missed" • "Russia Hour" • "You Ghana Join the Club" • "Uganda Be an Elephant" • "To Kilimanjaro Bird" • "Rocky Mountain Lie" • "Amazon Quiver" • "French Fried" • "Big Top Breakfast" • "Madagascar About You" • "Truth or Zaire" • "Mojave Desserted" • "Beauty and the Wildebeest" • "Don't Break the China" • "Can't Take a Yolk" • "The Pain in Spain" • "Frantic Atlantic" • "Unlucky in Lesotho" • "Rafiki's Apprentice" • "Tanzania Zany" • "Guatemala Malarkey" • "Mombasa-In-Law" • "TV Dinner" • "Back Out in the Outback" • "Gabon with the Wind" • "Timon's Time Togo" • "The Law of the Jungle" • "Manhattan Mishap" • "Paraguay Parable" • "Be More Pacific" • "Going Uruguay" • "Let's Serengeti Out of Here" • "Congo on Like This" • "Okay Bayou?" • "Shake Your Djibouti" • "Yosemite Remedy" • "The Sky is Calling" • "Mozam-Beaked" • "Ocean Commotion" Season Two: "Palm Beached" • "Jamaica Mistake?" • "Oregon Astray" • "New Guinea Pig" • "Isle of Manhood" • "Puttin' on the Brits" • "Klondike Con" • "Isle Find Out" • "Beetle Romania" • "Rumble in the Jungle" • "Wide Awake in Wonderland" • "Zazu's Off-by-One Day" • "Animal Barn" • "Roach Hotel" • "Africa-Dabra!" • "I Don't Bolivia" • "Shopping Mauled" • "Library Brouhaha" • "Catch Me if You Kenya" • "Scent of the South" • "Monster Massachusetts" • "Handle with Caribbean" • "Forbidden Pumbaa" • "Washington Applesauce" • "Alcatraz Mataz" • "Oahu Wahoo" • "I Think I Canada" • "Zazu's Off Day Off" • "Beast of Eden" • "Sense & Senegambia" • "Timon on the Range" • "The Man from J.U.N.G.L.E." • "Maine-Iacs" • "Fiji-Fi-Fo-Fum" • "Rome Alone" • "Amusement Bark" • "Once Upon a Timon" • "Home is Where the Hog Is" • "Beethoven's Whiff" • "Bumble in the Jungle" • "Mind Over Matterhorn" Season Three: "Whiff" • "To Be Bee or Not to Be Bee" • "Luck Be a Meerkat" • "Just When You Thought You'd Cuisine it All" • "Lemonade Stand Off" • "Big Jungle Game" • "Boo Hoo Bouquet" • "So Sumo Me" • "Now Museum, Now You Don't" • "Visiting Pig-nitaries" • "The Truth About Kats and Hogs" • "Escape from Newark" • "Truth Be Told" • "Circus Jerks" • "Nest Best Thing" • "Super Hog-O" • "Don't Have the Vegas Idea" • "Hot Enough for Ya?" • "Werehog of London" • "Bigfoot, Littlebrain" • "Astro-Nots" • "Robin Hoodwinked" • "Seregenti Western" • "All Pets are Off" • "Two for the Zoo" • "The Swine in the Stone" • "You May Have Already Won Six Million Bakra" • "My Meteor, My Friend" • "Jungle Slickers" • "Don't Wake the Neighbear" • "Recipe for Disaster" • "Going Over-Boar'd" • "Ivy Beleaguered" • "Broadway Bound & Gagged" • "Steel Hog" • "Dealer's Choice Cut" • "Space Ham" • "You Bet Your Tuhkus" • "No-Good Samaritan" • "Living in De Nile" • "One Tough Bug" • "Pirates of Pumbzance" • "Miss Perfect" • "Hakuna Matata U." • "Pig-Malion" • "Why No Rhino" • "War Hogs" • "The Big No Sleep" • "Common Scents" • "Mister Twister" • "Don't Be Elfish" • "Lights, Camera, Traction" • "The Running of the Bullies" • "Special Defects" • "Wishy Washy" • "Ice Escapades" • "Guru-Some" • "Jailhouse Shock" • "Nearly Departed" • "Early Bird Watchers" • "The Spy's the Limit" • "Ready, Aim, Fire" • "Timoncchio" • "Ghost Boosters" • "Stay Away from my Honey!" • "Sitting Pretty Awful" • "He's a Bad, Bad, Bad Sport" • "Dapper Duck Burgers" • "It Runs Good" • "Hot Air Buffoons" • "Timon in Love" • "Kahuna Potato" • "Mook Island" • "Cliphangers"
Timon & Pumbaa:Zazu's Tree • Madame Credenza's Place • Savage Rock • Boss Beaver's Log Land • The Tree of Truth • Dismal Swamp The Lion Guard:Lair of the Lion Guard • Janja's Den • Tree of Life
Instrumental Scores:This Land • Hyenas • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play with Your Food • We are All Connected • Hyenas in the Pride Lands • Elephant Graveyard • I Was Just Trying to Be Brave • Stampede • Mufasa Dies • If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You • Bowling for Buzzards • We Gotta Bone to Pick With You • Kings of the Past • Nala, is It Really You? • Remember Who You Are • This is My Home • The Rightful King Rhythm of the Pride Lands:The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Kube • Lea Halalela • It's Time • Lala • Busa • Noyana The Lion King II: Simba's Pride:He Lives in You • We Are One • My Lullaby • Upendi • One of Us • Love Will Find a Way The Lion King 1½:Digga Tunnah • That's All I Need • Sunrise, Sunset • Grazing in the Grass Musical:Lioness Hunt • Rafiki Mourns • One by One • Grasslands Chant • Chow Down • The Madness of King Scar • Shadowland • Endless Night • Simba Confronts Scar Timon & Pumbaa:The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Alone Together • Stand by Me • Yummy Yummy Yummy The Lion Guard:Call of the Guard • A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri) • Zuka Zama • Tonight We Strike • Kion's Lament • It is Time • Here Comes the Lion Guard • We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa) • Don't Make a Stink • Bunga the Wise • Duties of the King • Outta the Way • Jackal Style • Our Kupatana Community • My Own Way • Utamu • All Hail The Vultures • Hero Inside • Bird of a Thousand Voices • Panic and Run • Trail to Hope • Life in the Pride Lands • We'll Make You a Meal • Find Your Roar • Chungu's Lament • Baboons • Beware of the Zimwi • Lions Over All • Stand Up, Stand Out • Kuishi Ni Kucheka • Running with the King • Hadithi the Hero • Makin' Hippo Lanes • Tickbirds and Rhinos • Teke Ruka Teleza • Everyone is Welcome • The Traveling Baboon Show • A Real Meal • Fujo • The Path of Honor • Bring Back a Legend • Today is my Day • I Have A Plan • Gotta Look on the Bright Side • The Worst Hyena We Know • May There Be Peace • Big Bad Kenge • Christmas in the Pride Lands • The Twelve Ways of Christmas • I Do Have a Great Deal to Say • Fabulous Dhahabu • Give a Little Guy a Chance • We're the Smartest • Good King Simba • The Faster I Go • I'm Gonna Run This Dump • Now You See Me, Now You Don't • Wisdom on the Walls • He's The Zebra Mastermind • Kwetu Ni Kwetu • Nothin' to Fear Down Here • Shujaa Ponda • Pride Landers Unite! • Prance With Me • Tujiinue • Height and Sight • We Will Defend • A New Way to Go • On the Last Night • When I Led the Guard • The Tree of Life • Home of a Snow Monkey's Dreams • Ghost of the Mountain • Anything • That's the Dolphin Way • As You Move Forward • Flamingo Dance Party • You Best Not Mess With Mama • Friends to the End • Kion's Reckoning • Welcome to the Tree of Life • Who is Better Than Who • Poa the Destroyer • Long Live the Queen • Remember What Makes You You • The Power of the Roar • Of the Same Pride • As You Move On Remake:Life's Not Fair • Rafiki's Fireflies • Scar Takes the Throne • Simba is Alive! • Reflections of Mufasa • Spirit • Battle for Pride Rock • Remember • Never Too Late • Mbube Deleted:To Be King • Warthog Rhapsody • The Lion of the Moon • Old Fearless Buzz • The Madness of King Scar • Where Do I Belong Miscellaneous:Safety Smart
Entertainment:Avengers: Quantum Encounter • Avengers Training Initiative • Doctor Strange: Journey into the Mystic Arts • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! • Marvel Heroes Unite • Marvel Comic Academy • Stark Expo présente : une énergie pour demain! Restaurants:Pym Test Kitchen • Shawarma Palace • Stark Factory • Terran Treats Shops:Campus Supply Pod • Expo Shop • Mission Equipment • Pavilion Gifts • The Collector’s Warehouse • WEB Suppliers Firework:Disney Movie Magic • ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration • World of Color: Celebrate!
"Shoot To Thrill" • "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" • "Trouble Man" • "Hooked on a Feeling" • "Spirit In The Sky" • "Cherry Bomb" • "Come and Get Your Love" • "I Want You Back" • "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" • "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" • "Go All The Way" • "Moonage Daydream" • "I'm Not In Love" • "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" • "O-o-h Child" • "Magic" • "Live To Rise" • "I've Got No Strings" • "Left Hand Free" • "Mr. Blue Sky" • "The Chain" • "Born to Be Wild" • "Immigrant Song" • "C'mon Get Happy" • "Twilight Time" • "Holding Out for a Hero" • "Demons" • "Dark Moon" • "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" • "Smells Like Teen Spirit" • "A Whole New World" • "A Man Without Love"
Original Songs: "A Newlywed Couple" • "WandaVision!" • "We Got Something Cooking" • "Making It Up As We Go Along" • "Let's Keep It Going" • "Agatha All Along" • "Jeg Saler Min Ganger" • "Save The City"
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier • Quinjet • Valkyrie • Milano • The Bus • Dark Aster • Lola
Organizations/Groups
Avengers • Chitauri • Stark Industries • S.H.I.E.L.D. • A.I.M. • Asgardians • Fire Demons • Dark Elves • Frost Giants • HYDRA • World Security Council • Guardians of the Galaxy • Nova Corps • Kree • Sakaarans • Rising Tide • Centipede Project • Cybertek • Xandarians • Strike • Ravagers • Inhumans • The Hand • Defenders • Black Order • Eternals • Fantastic Four • S.W.O.R.D. • United Nations • Flag Smashers • Time Variance Authority • Variants • Djinn • Clandestines • Order of the Red Daggers
Locations
New York (state) • New York City • Avengers Tower • Asgard • India • Stuttgart • Germany • Nine Realms • London • England • Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. • Tony Stark's Mansion • Triskelion • Wakanda • Xandar • Morag • Guest House • The Hub • Knowhere • Shawarma Palace • Sanctuary • Hong Kong • Ego • New Avengers Facility • Vormir • Quantum Realm • New Jersey • Westview • Massachusetts • Ralph Bohner's House • Lamentis-1 • The Void • Citadel at the End of Time • San Francisco • London • Noor Dimension
Cruella's car • Ratcatcher • Pumpkin Coach • Lightsaber • Darkwing Duck's gas gun • Black Pearl • Identity Disc • Plasma Blaster Mark I • Candy Kart • King Candy's Royal Racer • Pizza Planet truck • Recognizer • Light Runner • Pixar Ball • The Jolly Roger (Disney Parks version) • The Electric Mayhem Bus • Baseball Launcher
Entertainment:Here Come the Muppets • Hollywood's Pretty Woman • Muppet Mobile Lab • Muppets on Location: Days of Swine and Roses • The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History Restaurants: PizzeRizzo • The Great Gonzo's Pandemonium Pizza Parlor • Regal Eagle Smokehouse Shops:Stage 1 Company Store Parade:Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade
The Great Muppet Caper:Hey a Movie! • Happiness Hotel • Steppin' Out With a Star • Night Life • The First Time It Happens • Couldn't We Ride The Muppet Christmas Carol:Scrooge • Room in Your Heart • Good King Wenceslas • One More Sleep 'til Christmas • Marley and Marley • Chairman of the Board • Fozziwig's Party • When Love is Gone • It Feels Like Christmas • Christmas Scat • Bless Us All • Thankful Heart • When Love Is Found Muppet Treasure Island:Treasure Island • Shiver My Timbers • Something Better • Sailing for Adventure • Cabin Fever • Boom Shakalaka • Love Led Us Here • Love Power • Love Led Us Here Muppet Treasure Island (Sing-Alongs):I'm a Little Pirate • There Was an Old Pirate • Old Bad Polly • I'm a Rock • Truffle Shuffle • Real Pirate • Let the Good Shine Out The Muppets' Wizard of Oz:Kansas • When I'm With You • Nap Time • The Witch Is in the House • Calling All Munchkins • Good Life A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa:Delivering Christmas • It's All About Heart • I Wish I Could Be Santa Claus • My Best Christmas Yet The Muppets:The Muppet Show Theme • Life's a Happy Song • Pictures in My Head • Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard • We Built This City • Me Party • Let's Talk About Me • Man or Muppet • Smells Like Teen Spirit • Forget You • The Whistling Caruso Muppets Most Wanted:The Muppet Show Theme • We're Doing a Sequel • I'm Number One • The Big House • I'll Get You What You Want (Cockatoo in Malibu) • Interrogation Song • My Heart Will Go On • Something So Right • Working in the Coal Mine • Together Again • Moves Like Jagger • Macarena Muppet Babies:Muppet Babies Theme
Original Worlds:Destiny Islands • Traverse Town • Radiant Garden/Hollow Bastion • Disney Castle/Disney Town/Timeless River • Dive to the Heart • End of the World • Realm of Darkness • Twilight Town/Mysterious Tower • The World That Never Was • Castle That Never Was • Land of Departure/Castle Oblivion • Keyblade Graveyard • Daybreak Town/Scala ad Caelum
