What is “The Last Verse” by Richard Sherman, coming to Walt Disney World’s “it’s a small world”? 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”. Simply put, The Last Verse is the actual last verse of the Disney classic song and earworm “it’s a small world”. It was the actual last verse Richard M. Sherman wrote for Disney before his passing on May 25th, 2024.
Who was/is Richard M. Sherman, and why does this matter? Richard M. Sherman was one-half of the legendary Sherman Brothers, alongside his brother Robert B. Sherman. Together, they created some of the most beloved songs in film history. Their work with Disney, including classics like “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Winnie the Pooh,” has left an enduring impact on generations of children and adults alike. Their songs are filled with joy, wonder, and nostalgia.
Previously announced were the final lyrics that Richard M. Sherman wrote to ‘it’s a small world’ and gave to The Walt Disney World CEO, Robert Iger, as his final gift to Disney, that the song would be updated and coming to Disneyland for the 70th Anniversary of the park, which is on July 17th, 2025. Disney Experiences made a huge announcement this morning, saying that the new lyrics and updated song would also be coming to the Walt Disney World version of the attraction the same day.
“It’s a Small World” was written for the attraction of the same name, which was created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. The attraction was personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and it was a major success. After two seasons, it was moved to Disneyland Park, where it opened on May 28, 1966. Today, the attraction and the Sherman Brothers’ original song are part of five Disney Parks worldwide, including Disneyland Park, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
The Last Verse serves as a tribute to the remarkable impact of the Sherman Brothers during their decades-long musical collaboration with Disney, ranging from “It’s a Small World,” to the timeless songs and scores from enduring Disney classics like Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book (1976), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and many more.
Robert (Bob) Iger, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 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 to witness. The four-minute video is now available on Disney+, which premiered on November 27, 2024.
“As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” Iger said. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to ‘It’s a Small World’ before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”
Richard M. Sherman wrote our childhood in song, and he 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! We had the pleasure to attend the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event Jolly Holiday Tribute to Richard M. Sherman in 2024, and wrote at the time, “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 or millions of others who have ridden the attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
What is “The Last Verse” by Richard Sherman, coming to Walt Disney World’s “it’s a small world”?
