As Time Goes By

 Did you know that famous song from Casablanca?  Did you ever hear the words sung by the character of "Sam" (played by Dooley Wilson) Maybe you've "heard" them, but not necessarily "listened" to them. We often associate it with the famous line of "Play it again, Sam" which is a misquote in itself. "Rick" (played by Humphrey Bogart) actually said this:


The actual line in the film is 'Play it, Sam'. Something approaching 'Play it again, Sam' is first said in the film by Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) in an exchange with the piano player 'Sam'.

Ilsa: Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.
Sam: I don't know what you mean, Miss Ilsa.
Ilsa: Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."
Sam: Oh, I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa. I'm a little rusty on it.
Ilsa: I'll hum it for you. Da-dy-da-dy-da-dum, da-dy-da-dee-da-dum...
Ilsa: Sing it, Sam.

 But I digress. Here are the words, written in 1931...Wow, it could have been 2013! Of course the words could be redone a bit to reflect today's same sex partners, but you get the idea. I bring this up because yesterday was Valentine's Day. DH and I haven't really gotten each other the traditional gifts for the Big Day, mainly because every day is a Big Day. Oh, we might get a special chocolate truffle or two or a thousand, but mainly we try and make sure that the other knows how we feel about them. A note, a card, a long conversation. It's all good. Roses wilt, baubles get put away, but the expression of love never gets old. It is now 10 months since the stroke nearly robbed me of the one that I cherish the most. Every single day I wake up and I say to myself (and whomever happens to be in hearing distance) I. Am. Blessed. My husband of nearly 19 years, our children, our grandchildren, our home, our friends, our extended family. Honestly, I cannot possibly whine about anything. Yes, illness gets in the way, but I try to remember, so many have it worse. So many have no one in their lives to turn to in the dark moments of pain and agony. I. Am. Blessed. I will remember this as time goes by...

"As Time Goes By"

music and words by Herman Hupfeld

This day and age we're living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension.
Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein's theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension
And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed.
You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.
And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.
Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.
Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.
 © 1931 Warner Bros. Music Corporation, ASCAP

Hey, you know what I want to hear? That you are blessed too!

Later in the film his character Rick Blaine has a similar exchange, although his line is simply 'Play it':

Rick: You know what I want to hear.
Sam: No, I don't.
Rick: You played it for her, you can play it for me!
Sam: Well, I don't think I can remember...
Rick: If she can stand it, I can! Play it!