Disney releases new lyrics to “It’s a Small World” written by the late Richard Sherman

Richard M. Shermanthe late songwriter, who, along with his brother Robert B. Sherman, wrote classic songs for dozens of Disney musicals and animated films, wrote the final verse to “It’s a Small World” before he died in May at the age of 95.

On Wednesday, November 27, the Walt Disney Company exposed a completely new short film titled The last verse and announced that Richard had shared a new verse with the Disney CEO Bob Iger in 2023, writing that it was “his last gift to the studio he treasured so much.”

The song’s final verse was commemorated in a newly released short film and ABC News documentary event on November 27 to celebrate the 60th anniversary Mary Poppinsfor which Ryszard and Robert won Academy Awards for best original song and best original soundtrack.

The last verse contains archival recordings of the late Walt Disney himself speaks on the contributions of the Sherman brothers, as well as other footage of children, punk bands, astronauts, characters from The Lion King and people around the world who have sung “It’s a Small World” over the years.

The video then shows footage from Richard’s office, including photos of him with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and his piano, before settling on a notebook with new lyrics he wrote: “Mother Earth unites us in hearts and minds / and the love that we give, makes us human / Through our vast, wonderful land / when we stand shoulder to shoulder / it’s a small world after all.

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“As the legendary creators of some of the most revered music of the last century, the Sherman Brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” Iger, 73, said in a statement. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the last verse of ‘It’s a Small World’ before he died will be a moment I will remember forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable contributions to music, memory and the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”

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“It’s a Small World” was, of course, written to accompany riders to the theme park of the same name, which can be found at Disney theme parks around the world. According to a 2014 report TIME article, the song is “probably the most played song in the history of music.”

Richard died on May 25; Disney then announced that he died “of an age-related condition” at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California. His brother Robert died in 2012 at the age of 86. Richard is survived by his wife Elizabeth, to whom he was married for 66 years, as well as his son Gregory and daughters Victoria Wolf and Lynda Rothstein.