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The Impossible Dream

Lyrics

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

" The Impossible Dream (The Quest) " is a popular song composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It was written for the 1965 musical Man of La Mancha. It is the main song from the musical and became its most popular hit.

The song is sung all the way through once in the musical by Don Quixote as he stands vigil over his armor, in response to Aldonza ( Dulcinea )'s question about what he means by "following the quest". It is reprised partially three more times—the last by prisoners in a dungeon as Miguel de Cervantes and his manservant mount the drawbridge-like prison staircase to face trial by the Spanish Inquisition.

Recordings & Live Versions

Richard Kiley (on the original Broadway cast album of Man of La Mancha )
Simon Gilbert (provided the singing voice for Peter O'Toole in the 1972 film adaptation of the play, and on the soundtrack album )
Diana Ross and the Supremes
Keith Michell (on the 2-LP London cast album of the show)
Robert Goulet (on the album collection Robert Goulet on Broadway )
Cher (on the album Backstage )
Ed Ames (on an LP)
Tom Jones
Jack Jones (with altered lyrics; this version hit the U.S. Top 40 and went to #1 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart in 1966 )
The Imperials (on the album New Dimensions (1968))
Andy Williams
Gordon MacRae
Elvis Presley (on his album Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden )

Scott Walker (on his TV series in 1969 and on his album Scott: Scott Walker Sings Songs from his TV Series )
Johnny Mathis (1969)
Matt Monro
The Lettermen
Eddie Murphy
Frank Sinatra (on his 1966 album That's Life )
Jacques Brel (on the French cast album L'Homme de la Mancha )
Maynard Ferguson (on his album The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson (1972)
Carter USM (on their 1992 album 1992 - The Love Album )
Lena Martell (on her album One Day at a Time - The Ultimate Collection )
Ron Raines (on the cast recording of the 2000 Covent Garden revival of Man of la Mancha )
Colm Wilkinson (on his album Stage Heroes )
Placido Domingo (on the 1996 studio cast recording of Man of la Mancha )
The Temptations (on their 1967 album The Temptations in a Mellow Mood )
Anthony Warlow (on his 1990 album Centre Stage )
Scott Bakula (in 1993 on the soundtrack to Quantum Leap )
Sarah Connor (on her 2007 album Soulicious )
Rolando Villazon
The Vogues (on their album Turn Around, Look At Me )
Jim Nabors (twice - once on an album entitled Love Me With All Your Heart and once on a 1972 studio cast album of Man of La Mancha )
Luther Vandross
Glen Campbell

Roberta Flack
Linda Eder (from Broadway, My Way (2003))
Brian Stokes Mitchell (on the cast album of the 2002 revival of Man of La Mancha )
Roger Whitaker
Shirley Bassey
Ge Korsten (on his 2004 CD The Heart & Soul )
The Smothers Brothers (on their 1968 album Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour )
Shani Wallis (on her album As Long As He Needs Me Kapp KS-3573)
Christopher Lee (on his album "Revelation")
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (recorded for the 2009 7" Impossible Dream )
Tevin Campbell (On Rhythm Of The Games 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Album by LaFace Records )
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Rhydian Roberts
Corey Benjamin Moss (Junior Players - Great Neck North)
Georg Ots (in Estonian language )
Maria Bethania (Brazilian version)
Susan Boyle
Scott Bakula (On Quantum Leap (season 2 episode "Catch A Falling Star")
Donna Summer Sang this as the encore during her tours from 1987 to 1990. Several clips are on You Tube.
Alfio (on his album Classic Rewinds )
Florence Ballard (On her Album The Supreme Florence Ballard )