Once in a While
John Coltrane - Wilbur Harden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song Once In A While, performed by jazz legends John Coltrane and Wilbur Harden, is a heart-wrenching ballad about longing for a lost love. The lyrics ask the question of whether the object of the singer's affection will ever spare a moment's thought for them, even though they may have moved on with someone else. The singer's hope is that they will at least occasionally dream of the moments they shared together, before they "drifted apart". The chorus speaks of the possibility that the love they shared may still be burning, even if it has faded to a smoldering ember, and that there is a chance it could be rekindled if they both remember it.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in a while will you try to give
Will you make an effort, at least occasionally, to think of me?
One little thought to me
Just a brief and fleeting moment of consideration for me.
Though someone else may be
Even if someone else holds a more important place in your heart right now.
Nearer your heart?
Is closer to your heart than I am?
Once in a while will you dream
Will you occasionally dream and reminisce about our shared moments?
Of the moments I shared with you
Remembering the times when we were together.
Moments before we two
Those times when we were still a couple.
Drifted apart?
Until we grew distant and separated.
In love's smoldering ember
When there's still a tiny spark left of our past love.
One spark may remain
A single hint of passion and affection may persist.
If love still can remember
If the love we once shared can still recall those feelings.
That spark may burn again
The fire that we once had can be reignited.
I know that I'll be contented
I will feel satisfied without needing anything more from you.
With yesterday's memory
Just by thinking fondly of our moments together in the past.
Knowing you think of me
Being reassured that you remember me from time to time.
Once in a while
Occasionally, but not too often.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAY NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind