Theme
Chet Atkins Lyrics

When a zither starts to play
When a zither instrument starts to play music

You'll remember yesterday
The melody of the zither will remind you of the past

In its haunting strain
The music is melancholic and eerie

Vienna lives again
The music brings back the memories of Vienna

Free and bright and gay
Vienna is remembered as a happy and carefree city

In your mind a sudden gleam
The music ignites a memory in your mind

Of a half forgotten dream
A dream or memory that was almost forgotten

Seems to glimmer when you hear the third man theme
The music acts as a catalyst to bring back memories

Once again there comes to mind
The music reminds you of something or someone from the past

Someone that you left behind
A person who was left behind in the past

Love that somehow didn't last
A love that didn't endure

In that happy city of the past
The memory of a city where happy times were spent

Does she still recall the dream
Wondering if the person from the past still remembers the memory

That rapture so supreme
The joy felt at that time was unparalleled

When first she heard the haunting third man theme?
The music was unforgettable the first time it was heard

Carnivals and carousels and Ferris wheels and parasols
The music brings back the memories of the fun-filled events

The Danube nights, the dancing lights again will shine
The festival-like atmosphere will return

The zither's sweet refrain
The music played by the zither is beautiful

Keeps swirling in your brain
The melody continues to play in your mind

Like new may wine
The music is as fresh and intoxicating as new wine

Strauss waltzes, candle-glow
The memory of the beautiful Strauss waltzes and candlelight

And the laughter of long ago
The memory of happy times spent in the past

Fill the magic chords and make it seem like today
The music has the power to make the memory come alive

You never knew that you could be
You never realized that music could have such a profound impact on memory

Enchanted by a melody
The power of the music is enchanting and mesmerizing

The years will never drive it out
The memory associated with the music will always be present

You don't know why
The reason why the music is so powerful is unknown

It's something you can't live without
The music has become an essential part of life

You hear it in the twilight hush
The music is heard in quiet moments at dusk

And in the morning traffic rush
The music is also heard during chaotic times, such as morning traffic

A song that's always new
The music retains its freshness and impact

In your heart a part of you
The music is intimately linked to memories, thoughts, and feelings

Oh, shines so brightly when you hear the third man theme
The music triggers a powerful and bright memory of the past