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, head over heels
And love with the most wonderful boy in the world
We would take long walks by the river
Or just sit for hours gazing, 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