Is That All There Is? lyrics

Song information

Artist: Bette Midler
Album: Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook

Lyrics

"I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire
I'll never forget the look on my father's face as he gathered me up in his arms
And raced through the burning building out to the pavement
I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames
And when it was all over I said to myself
'Is that all there is to a fire?'"

Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friends
Then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze
And have a ball
If that's all there is

"And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to the circus, the greatest show on earth
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears and a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads
And as I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle, I had the feeling that something was missing
I don't know what, but when it was over I said to myself
'Is that all there is to a circus?'"

Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friends
Then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze
And have a ball
If that's all there is

"Then I fell in love with the most wonderful boy in the world
We would take long walks by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes
We were so very much in love. then one day, he went away
And I thought I'd die, but I didn't
And when I didn't, I said to myself
'Is that all there is to love?'"

Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friends
Then let's keep dancing

"I know what you must be saying to yourselves
'If that's the way she feels about it why doesn't she just end it all?'
Oh, no. not me. I'm in no hurry for that final disappointment
For I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you
When that final moment comes and I'm breathing my last breath
I'll be saying to myself..."

Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that's all there is, my friends
Then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze
And have a ball
If that's all there is