Once in a While
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians Lyrics


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Once in a while will you try to give
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?

Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two
Drifted apart?

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory




Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Once In A While" by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians is a nostalgic and plaintive plea for a lover who has moved on. It's a sentiment that many people who have experienced heartbreak can relate to. The opening lines, "Once in a while will you try to give/One little thought to me" urges the lover to remember the singer, despite being with someone else.


The second verse of the song shows a yearning for the moments they shared with each other before they drifted apart. The lyrics, "Drifted apart" suggest that the separation was not intentional but perhaps circumstances forced them apart. The hope in the lyrics lies in the possibility that "One spark may remain" and that "the spark may burn again". The singer acknowledges that even if the relationship does not reignite, the memories they shared will be enough for them to be contented.


The overall theme of the song is the bittersweet realization that the love is gone but the memories remain. The lyrics do not express regret for the relationship but rather a wistful longing for what they shared. The simplicity of the lyrics adds to the emotional depth of the song and is still celebrated by generations that followed.


Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while will you try to give
Would you occasionally try to give me some attention?


One little thought to me
Just a small consideration, a moment to think of me?


Though someone else may be
I understand there may be someone else in your life.


Nearer your heart?
They might be closer to your heart, but would you at least think of me?


Once in a while will you dream
Would you dream of the happy moments that we had shared?


Of the moments I shared with you
Those moments we spent together, which meant so much to me?


Moments before we two
Those were moments we had before we drifted apart?


Drifted apart?
We grew distant and lost the spark that we once had?


In love's smoldering ember
When love fades, only a flicker remains


One spark may remain
But, there is still a spark, a small chance for love to return


If love still can remember
If our love can hold on to what we had


That spark may burn again
There is still hope for us to rekindle our love


I know that I'll be contented
Even if I must accept that we will not be together


With yesterday's memory
I can find solace in the memories of our time together


Knowing you think of me
It would give me peace of mind to know that I occasionally cross your mind


Once in a while
Only once in a while, but that would be enough for me


In love's smoldering ember
When our love isn't what it used to be


One spark may remain
There is still a chance for love to reignite


If love still can remember
If our love still remembers the passion that we once shared


The spark may burn again
We might be able to rekindle our love


I know that I'll be contented
I will be happy even without a current love


With yesterday's memory
The memories of our love keep me satisfied


Knowing you think of me
If only you could think of me occasionally, it would mean enough to me


Once in a while
Just a moment to think of me, only once in a while




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAY NOBLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mark Hogan

From Mark Hogan Saturday 8/1/2020, thank you for this great record rated 16 the highest rating I can give. In numerology 1+6=7 highest rating 7 (16), great minor key operatic arrangement Stuart sounds great and Lombardo always was fabulous. Any more Stuart Foster recordings??? Not aware of how youtube works, please advise thank you. Am I allowed to type my email in the comments as I do not know the rules??? If I click on SUBSCRIBE what happens??? Will be adventurous and click on SUBSCRIBE never subscribed before, please teach me what to do!! May I type email in comments as I do not want to get my account closed by breaking any rules?

Annie Van Auken

@Mark Hogan Lee De Forest invented the audion in 1906, but he didn't know what he had. It was a simple triode, but with gases that made the trhing act poorly. Others improved on the idea. Billy Murray recorded in the pre-mic. or acoustic horn era, but he also made some electrical recordings later. Leroy Anderson will be up soon. His son Eric was a customer at my record store back around 1980.

Mark Hogan

@Annie Van Auken From Mark Hogan Saturday, 8/1/2020 I DO NOT MIND EMAIL FROM ANYONE, and for spam I just delete it. I love to talk to you on phone if you agree. You can if you agree by emailing your phone number IF YOU AGREE. I can tell you about the TV shows I have seen in NYC while getting tickets for them from the radio/tv department where I worked the defunct New York Herald Tribune. It is difficult to find people in 2020 who have great music taste. I like the "WALTZING KAT" by Leroy Anderson and I have a cat named MISHY KITTYKATTY. Billy Murray was before the audion tube was invented in 1929 by Lee De Forest.

Annie Van Auken

Your account won't get closed if you post an email addy, HOWEVER everyone at YouTube can possibly see it, opening you to receiving spam mail. Not good. If you click on the red SUBSCRIBE button there's no repercussions. By also clicking on that little bell symbol, you'll be notified every time I post a new video. My next one will be Leroy Anderson conducting his "Blue Tango", from 1951. I managed to shoot the video in-between rain squalls. That big storm off the coast will pass by here imminently.

Brian's 78's

nice version that Annie.. cheers

Annie Van Auken

@Brian's 78's I have two early mic. recordings, probably 1926 and acoustic horn solid recordings by Columbia Saxophone Sextette, Broadway Bell Hops, Original Memphis Five and some fine singers.

Brian's 78's

Annie Van Auken yes.. late 20s early 30s probably my favourite era

Annie Van Auken

Brian-- do you like Roaring 20s stuff? I just mastered 18 songs to tape and will be uploading a couple directly.

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