A Generally Relative Serenade

7 February 2005 — Audience members at Saturday's Penn State Lecture on the Frontiers of Science were treated to a delightful serenade by the speaker, Clifford M. Will, the James S. McDonnell Professor of Physics at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missour, who broke into song as he introduced the audience to Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Some audience members recognized the tune "As Time Goes By," from the classic film "Casablanca." This song has an introductory verse, which is often omitted, that highlights the degree to which Einstein's breakthrough theories were in the public eye at the time the song was released in 1931.

The annual lecture series, now in its eleventh year, is organized by the Penn State Eberly College of Science with financial support from Pfizer as a free minicourse for the general public. More information about the Penn State Lectures on the Frontiers of Science is on the web at http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/frontiers.

Lyrics for the introductory verse, as well as the more familiar portion of the song, are shown below.

As Time Goes By

[This day and age we're living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension.

Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein's theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension

And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed.]

You must remember this
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by.

music and words by Herman Hupfeld
© Warner Bros. Music Corporation, ASCAP

[ L A K / B K K ]