I Didn’t Know What Time It Was

Rodgers & Hart の愛の歓びが伝わってくる名曲だと思う。数多くのミュージシャンが演奏している。歌詞の最後に「いまや時がなんであるかを知っている (I know what time it is now)」といっているのに、邦題の『時さえ忘れて』にはガックリきてしまう。曲の趣旨はもちろん、いたずらに時を過ごして人生は虚しかったけれど、あなたと出会ってから、いまや時がどんなに充実しているか知っているということである。

※ 補足: この曲の “I didn’t know what time is. ” にもっとも近い意味を歌詞から拾えば、“I was naive.” である。

1939:
Benny Goodman:

Artie Shaw:

Bea Wain:

Jimmy Dorsey:

1949:
Charlie Parker:

Doris Day:

1956:
Ella Fitzgerald:

Lester Young:

1957:
Billie Holiday:

Anita O’Day:

Stan Getz & Gerry Mulligan:

1958:
Dorothy Dandridge:

1959:
Patti Page:

1962:
Joni James:

1962-63:
Carmen McCrae:
 

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
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 day it was
You held 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
Life 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 

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 day it was
You held 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
Life 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