One of my biggest growth challenges has been to articulate what I really want out of life. My experience has been that, when I remain vague or undecided, nothing happens. As soon as I clearly ask for what I want, the Universe starts "filling my order." So I wanted to capture this lesson in a song.

The chorus came to me first, but it sounded too preachy. I needed a device to get the message across. Well, "Once upon a time" opens every fairytale and most fairytales have a fairy godmother who helps and instructs the heroine. Having a fondness for fairy godmothers, (I loved playing Glinda in The Wizard of Oz), I started imagining this scenario. It seemed to work. A fairy godmother can get away with being a little preachy 'cause she wants only the best for you!

Once Upon Your Lifetime
Words and Music by Laura Derocher

I believe in fairy godmothers 'cause I met mine yesterday.
She was plump and sweet and full of heat with what she came to say.
I'd been groaning 'bout my plain old life. That's when she appeared
to sit me down and set me straight 'bout how things work 'round here.
She said,

CHORUS:
"Once upon your lifetime, what'll it be?
Tell me your story.
Once upon your lifetime, how does it end?
Do you find glory?
Or do you wind up vexed, perplexed, aghast that life has passed you by?
Once upon your lifetime, tell a tale to take your soul high."

And I said,

"Listen, fairy godmother, I don't know what you mean.
Are you telling me I may well be the maker of my dream?
Can't you just take care of this?
You know, wave your wand and grant my wish?"

And she said,

BRIDGE:
"Darling, of course I can wave my wand and help you with your wish. But let me ask you something: If you went into a restaurant and sat there grumbling about how hungry you were but never ordered anything, What do you suppose you'd get? Make your wish, baby!

CHORUS:
Once upon your lifetime, what'll it be? Tell me your story.
Once upon your lifetime, how does it end? Do you find glory?
Or do you wind up vexed, perplexed, aghast that life has
passed you, passed you, passed you, passed you by? No!
Once upon your lifetime, tell a tale to take your soul high.

TAG:
High! Once upon your lifetime.
Make your wish, tell me your story.
Yeah, once upon your lifetime."

© 2001 Laura Derocher (ASCAP). All rights reserved.

Hear an audio sample of this song and order Laura’s CD Song of My Own at .

Choose another song.

Look How I’m Leading Now It Wouldn’t Be Bedford Falls When You Passed Through Song of My Own What Are You Meant To Do This Kind of Love Have Patience Once Upon Your Lifetime Only Love Towers I’m Shining