"Beyond the Laughing Sky" is a deleted song that was written for Alice in Wonderland. It was later replaced with "In a World of My Own", sung by Alice.
The music was written by Sammy Fain, with the lyrics by Bob Hilliard. Fain's tune was recycled and rewritten as "The Second Star to the Right" for Peter Pan, which was released two years later.
It was revealed in the documentary that the lyrics were reminiscent in spirit to the song "Over the Rainbow" from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, due to its popularity and the similarity between Dorothy and Alice. Both characters longing to see the outside world. However, since Kathryn Beaumont was not as good of a singer as Judy Garland, they decided to make another song that was easier for her. [1]
Lyrics
Alice: My Dinah, you are wiser than wise
Oh, what your eyes can see
You're the only one who understands my curiosity,
So, please tell me...
Why does the whispering wind
Sound like a lullaby?
Is that the magic music from
Beyond the laughing sky?
Why can't the swallows remain?
Where is the place they fly?
Why can't I go along with them
Beyond the laughing sky?
If I climbed the highest tree,
Where, oh where would I be?
Would I find a place for me
In the land of grand enchantment?
Where do the clouds disappear
When they go rolling by?
I'm wondering about the world
Beyond the laughing sky
References
