Saturday, October 23, 2010

Saturday Time Watch: Fundamental Things


You must remember this

A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.

The fundamental things apply

As time goes by.


Lyrics to "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca (1942) Complete Lyrics here.

Isn't that a lovely song? I love how this song reminds us of the "fundamental things."
As writers, we spend a lot of time in...well...ironically, in a constant attempt to manage time. We have a time related vocabulary of deadlines, appointments and strategies to plan our projects and keep us organized. But, as countless songs will attest, the concept of time inspires more than schedules. It's fleeting. It's nostalgic. It's a constant reminder of what has been and what can be...if we write it well.
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Never out of date.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.

This is my first "Saturday Time Watch: Fundamental Things." The idea; a favorite song lyric or a poem with "time" in the lyrics that simply speak to us of why we read and write romance -- it's fundamental and timeless. Can you think of a favorite?

4 comments:

  1. What a lovely idea! Time has definitely been on my mind a lot lately, probably from waiting, and wondering how to best use my time.

    I heard a song yesterday when I was at my "office" at Starbucks that reminded me of a long-ago favorite: "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce. You may be too young to know it, but it starts out:

    "If I could save time in a bottle
    The first thing that I'd like to do
    Is to save every day
    Til eternity passes away
    Just to spend them with you"

    Sigh. That's always been such a romantic song.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna, yes, I love the "Time in a Bottle" song! A perfect example. I think there are probably hundreds of songs with "time" in the title or lyrics and they are usually very romantic. Sigh. :)

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  3. This has passion and wit combined, perfect for romance novel lovers!

    To his Coy Mistress

    by Andrew Marvell
    Had we but world enough, and time,
    This coyness, lady, were no crime.
    We would sit down and think which way
    To walk, and pass our long love's day;
    Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
    Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
    Of Humber would complain. I would
    Love you ten years before the Flood;
    And you should, if you please, refuse
    Till the conversion of the Jews.
    My vegetable love should grow
    Vaster than empires, and more slow.
    An hundred years should go to praise
    Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
    Two hundred to adore each breast,
    But thirty thousand to the rest;
    An age at least to every part,
    And the last age should show your heart.
    For, lady, you deserve this state,
    Nor would I love at lower rate.

    But at my back I always hear
    Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
    And yonder all before us lie
    Deserts of vast eternity.
    Thy beauty shall no more be found,
    Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
    My echoing song; then worms shall try
    That long preserv'd virginity,
    And your quaint honour turn to dust,
    And into ashes all my lust.
    The grave's a fine and private place,
    But none I think do there embrace.

    Now therefore, while the youthful hue
    Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
    And while thy willing soul transpires
    At every pore with instant fires,
    Now let us sport us while we may;
    And now, like am'rous birds of prey,
    Rather at once our time devour,
    Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.
    Let us roll all our strength, and all
    Our sweetness, up into one ball;
    And tear our pleasures with rough strife
    Thorough the iron gates of life.
    Thus, though we cannot make our sun
    Stand still, yet we will make him run.

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  4. An excellent contribution Imadden42! I recall reading this poem in my college literature class (which, as a returning student was only this spring actually). I love the power of this poem. :) This definitely fits for the time theme and wanting to hold on to youth and romance. Thanks for posting!

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