Is That All There Is ? Lyrics - Polly Jean Harvey

I remember when I was a girl, our house caught on fire 

And I'll never forget the look on my father's face 

As he gathered me in his arms 

And raced to the burning building out on the pavement 

And I stood there shivering 

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 twelve years old 

My daddy took me to the circus 

The greatest show on Earth 

And there were clowns and elephants, dancing bears 

And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads 

And as I sat there watching 

I had the feeling that something was missing 

I don't know what but when it was all over 

I said to myself "Is that all there is to the circus?" 

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 then I fell in love 

With the most wonderful boy in the world 

We'd take long walks down by the river 

Or just sit for hours gazing into each other's eyes 

We were so very much in love 

And 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 

I know what you must be saying to yourselves 

If that's the way she feels about it 

Then why doesn't she just end it all 

Oh no, not me, I'm not ready for the final disappointment 

'Cause I know just as well as I'm standing here talking to you 

That when that final moment comes 

And I'm breathing my last breath 

I know what I'll be saying to myself 

"Is that all there is?" 

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