I Didn’t Know What Time It Was - Charlie Parker

Once I was young, yesterday, perhaps

Danced with Jim and Paul and kissed some other chaps

Once I was young, but never was naive

I thought I had a trick or two up my imaginary sleeve

And now I know I was naive

I didn’t know what time it was

Then I met you

Oh, what a lovely time it was

How sublime it was too!

I didn’t know what day it was

Then you held my hand

Warm like the month of May it was

And I’ll say it was grand

Grand to be alive, to be young

To be mad, to be yours alone

Grand to see your face, feel your touch

Hear your voice say I’m all your own

I didn’t know what year it was

Life was no prize

I wanted love and here it was

Shining out of your eyes

Once I was old, twenty years or so

Rather well preserved, the wrinkles didn’t show

Once I was old, but not too old for fun

I used to hunt for little girls up my imaginary gun

But now I ain’t for only one

I’m wise and I know what time it is now

I’m wise and I know what time it is now

I’m so wise and I know what time it is now