Thanks for the Memory

Maybe because of my history of failed relationships and my continuing grieving over the death of my partner, Su, a year ago last March, the song “Thanks for the Memory” is special, no sacred to me. It expresses for me the unspoken pain of a broken relationship in way not approached by any other song or poem.

The song, composed by Ralph Rainger with lyrics by Leo Robin, was introduced in the 1938 film The Big Broadcast of 1938 with a cast headed by Bob Hope. I want to quote all the lyrics here, even though it will require more than one post. I thank you for your patience.

Here are the lyrics:

Thanks for the memory
Of sentimental verse
Nothing in my purse
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse
How lovely it was

Thanks for the memory
Of Schubert’s Serenade
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid
How lovely it was

We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing
I wonder if we did the right thing
Oh, well, that’s life, I guess
I love your dress

Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave
Of rainbows on a wave
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave
Thank you so much

More next time.