I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Lorenz Hart (w), Richard Rodgers (m)
1939
VERSE I
Once I was young --
yesterday, perhaps --
danced with Jim and Paul
and kissed some other chaps.
Once I was young,
but never was naive.
I thought I had a trick or two
up my imaginary sleeve.
And now I know I was naive.
REFRAIN
I didn't know what time it was
then I met you.
Oh, what a lovely time it was,
How sublime it was too!
I didn't know what time it was
you hold my hand.
Warm like the month of May it was,
and I'll say it was grand.
Grand to be alive, to be young,
to be mad, to be yours alone!
Grand to see your face, feel your touch,
hear your voice say I'm all your own.
I didn't know what time it was
live was no prize.
I wanted love and here it was
shining out of your eyes.
I'm wise,
and I know what time it is now.
VERSE 2
Once I was old --
Twenty years or so --
rather well preserved:
the wrinkles didn't show.
Once I was old,
but not too old for fun.
I used to hunt for little girls
up my imaginary gun.
But now I ain for only one!
REFRAIN
I didn't know what time it was
then I met you.
Oh, what a lovely time it was,
How sublime it was too!
I didn't know what time it was
you hold my hand.
Warm like the month of May it was,
and I'll say it was grand.
Grand to be alive, to be young,
to be mad, to be yours alone!
Grand to see your face, feel your touch,
hear your voice say I'm all your own.
I didn't know what year it was
live was no prize.
I wanted love and here it was
shining out of your eyes.
I'm wise,
and I know what time it is now.
|
| Recorded | Performers | Label | Cat.# | Matrix |
|
|
| | Al Sack And His Orchestra | Black & White | 2003 | |
| | Margaret Whiting | Capitol | 20114 | |
| | Bob Grabeau | Capitol | 652 | |
| | Doris Day | Columbia | 38544 | HCO3798 |
| | Dinah Shore W Meredith Wilson | Columbia | 38848 | HCO1767 |
| | Louis Jordan & His Tympani 5 | Decca | 29166 | L7059 |
| | Fontaine Sisters | RCA Victor | 20-3772 | |
| | Diahann Carroll | RCA Victor | 20-6576 | |
| | Bea Wain | Victor | 26400 | |
| 09/13/1939 | Benny Goodman & His Orchestra | Columbia | 35230 | CO25352 |
| 09/23/1939 | Mary Jane Walsh | Columbia | 35236 | WCO26104 |
| 09/25/1939 | Blue Barron & His Orchestra | Bluebird | B10444 | 40449 |
| 09/25/1939 | Hal Kemp & His Orchestra | Victor | 26368 | 042711 |
| 10/06/1939 | Frankie Masters & His Orchestra | Conqueror | 9314 | 26169 |
| 10/06/1939 | Frankie Masters & His Orchestra | Vocalion | 5158 | 26169 |
| 10/20/1939 | Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra | Decca | 2813-A | 66786 |
| 11/09/1939 | Artie Shaw & His Orchestra | Bluebird | B10502 | 043368 |
| 01/05/1940 | Clarence Profit Trio | Columbia | 35378 | WCO26396 |
| 01/09/1940 | Hildegarde | Decca | 23115 | 67032 |
| 12/25/1946 | Margaret Whiting (Frank Devol Orchestra) | Capitol | 1103 | CAP1534 |
| 11/03/1947 | Andre Previn | RCA Victor | 20-3043 | D7VB1842 |
| 11/30/1949 | Charlie Parker String Ensemble | Mercury | 11038 | |
| 01/13/1950 | Eileen Wilson / Sy Oliver | Decca | 24978 | 75711 |
|
Year | Title | Medium | Type | Usage |
|
|
1939 | Too Many Girls | stage | stage original | introduced |
1993 | In The Line Of Fire | film | film original | interpolated |