We think of Lerner and Lowe as a team, but lyricist Alan Jay
Lerner worked with other composers such as Burton Lane on the film Royal Wedding in 1951. It includes this gem of a song, a memorable
contribution to the Great American Songbook, touching lyrics by Lerner and a suitable
Burton Lane melancholic melody.
Supposedly, they wrote it over the telephone.
Although it’s been recorded by many, it’s Judy Garland’s
sad rendition I think of as the song was written for her but she dropped out before
Royal Wedding was filmed and was replaced by Jane Powell.
This YouTube recording was from her TV show, performed some dozen years
later. It takes on a genuine sadness
given the back-story.
Too Late Now
Too late now to
forget your smile
The way we cling
when we danced awhile
Too late now to
forget and go on with someone new
Too late now to
forget your voice
The way one word
makes my heart rejoice
Too late now to
imagine myself away from you
All the things
we've dreamed together
I relive when we're
apart
All the tender
words together
Live on in my heart
How could I ever
close the door
And be the same as
I was before?
Darling, no, no I
can't anymore
It's too late now
My rendition in the “recording studio” of my living room
has its technical drawbacks, but I tried to capture the pure simplicity of this wonderful melody.
