From the 1965 musical “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”
Words by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Burton Lane
The sheet music:
Lyrics
I don′t know why they redesigned me
He likes the way he used to find me
He likes the girl I left behind me
I mean he… I mean me
Refrain:
What did I have that I don’t have?
What did he like that I lost track of?
What did I do that I don′t do the way I did before
What isn’t there that once was there?
What have I got a great big lack of?
Something in me then, he could see then
Beckons to him no more
I’ m just a victim of time
Obsolete in my prime
Out-of-date and outclassed, by my past
What did he love that there′s none of?
What did I lose the sweet warm knack of?
Wouldn′t I be the late great me if I knew how?
Oh, what did I have I don’t have now?
Refrain:
What did I have that I don′t have?
What do I need big supply of?
What was the trick I did particularly well before?
What did he see that’s gone in me?
What did I use that now I′m shy of?
Why is the sequel never the equal?
Why is there no encore?
Where can I go to repair?
All the wear and the tear
Till I’m once again the previous me!
What did he like that I am not like?
What was the charm that I′ve run dry of?
What would I give if my old know-how still knew how?
Oh! what did I have I don’t have now?