“The Last Verse” of ‘it’s a small world’ by Richard M. Sherman To Air on ABC During Mary Poppins Special. It is very possible that somewhere in the world ‘it’s a small world’ is playing right now, and has been playing 24 hours a day for decades now. The song plays during the attraction of the same name and can be heard from Hong Kong to Shanghai Disneyland, across the continent to Disneyland Paris, and following the sun across the planet over to Walt Disney World in Florida and then Disneyland in California.
The song from “it’s a small world” paints a picture of a world filled with both hope and fear. Yet, it ultimately encourages listeners to focus on our shared humanity. As Richard Sherman explains, the song is a simple plea for respect and love, emphasizing the universal bonds that connect us all. The song was originally written sometime around 1963 or 1964 for the attractions opening at the New York Worlds Fair in 1964.
It took 60 years for the world to hear “The Last Verse” of ‘it’s a small world’ written by Richard M. Sherman and presented to Disney through The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Robert Iger in a final meeting between the company and what some would describe as the most prolific Disney songwriter ever. We learned all this during a presentation called Jolly Holiday A D23 Musical Celebration of Richard M. Sherman during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience in August of 2024.
Updated 11/28/2024 – 9:00 AM—Disney+ has added “The Last Verse.” You can watch it now, or you can see our video of it below and hear the crowd’s reaction to the first-ever showing during D23. We would always love the click, but the Disney+ presentation is powerful!
During the presentation, Mr. Iger shared a powerful story of the last time he had ever met with Richard Sherman at Disney. Richard had asked for a meeting to discuss a project near and dear to his heart, and he had officially written another verse to the classic Disney song ‘it’s a Small World”. Lucky for us Disney always has cameras rolling, this moment was captured for us, in the audience, to witness. For those who have an emotional connection to classic Disney songs and songbooks, this hit us in all the feels, from Mr. Iger’s story and video that was shared. Mr. Sherman would pass away shortly before this presentation at D23. You can see our video of the short below!
The Last Verse is finally going to be seen in the original short by Disney called “The Last Verse”. It will be shown during Thanksgiving Eve “The Untold Story of Mary Poppins” on ABC at 8:00 PM EST:
As a part of the 60th anniversary celebration, Disney is proud to announce the broadcast debut of “The Last Verse,” airing exclusively during “The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20.” The three-and-a-half-minute brand film celebrates the timeless message of connection and hope behind the iconic Sherman Brothers song “It’s a Small World” and unveils a poignant new verse written by legendary composer Richard Sherman in his final Disney contribution. In the spirit of the beloved song, viewers will journey across the globe as the song is passed from person to person and generation to generation, culminating in the reveal of this heartfelt new verse.
When last we wrote about the Jolly Holiday Tribute Panel, we gushed over the presentation and had a highly emotional response. Looking back on the article, made me realize how much we loved the Sherman Brothers and the music they created. Below I want to share our final thoughts from that article with hopes that you will want to watch this special three-and-a-half-minute short. Gather the family, and enjoy!
What we had known before the panel was Richard M. Sherman wrote our childhood in song, what we left the panel knowing was Richard M. Sherman was more than just the music he left behind. I think his own words can be used here. “There was a time when people believed, people really do believe that tomorrow is going to be better and everything is wonderful, people weren’t cynical, there is a lot of cynicism in the world today, and I truly believe tomorrow is going to be wonderful, that’s the whole thing, very positive.”
He wrote this in The Last Verse, he tried to encapsulate this positivity into one last verse! This is what I kept going back to the whole night and into the next day. I kept going back to these wonderful words that were written down and expressed to Mr. Iger. If I had to sum up Richard M. Sherman, and the feeling that is left behind, that verse is it. I don’t know of a more powerful song that the world needed to hear again than ‘its a small world’, and I don’t know a more powerful ending to a career and life that left an indelible mark on me. So much so, that I have tears in my eyes remembering him, and the Jolly Holiday D23 Musical Celebration of Richard M. Sherman.
Just not sad tears, happy tears, tears of remembrance, tears of love, tears of nostalgia, and memories. Tears of love for a man I may have never met, but influenced my life in so many ways. I can honestly say, that without his music, I would not be doing what I am doing in life, and I may not have the best memories a person could ever have. But, because of Richard M. Sherman, I have them.
The Last Verse – Richard M Sherman –
“Mother Earth unites us in heart and mind
and the love we give makes us humankind
through our vast wondrous land
when we stand hand in hand
it’s a small world after all”
Thank You, sir!
“The Last Verse” of ‘it’s a small world’ by Richard M. Sherman To Air on ABC During Mary Poppins Special
