Did You Know the 'Downton Abbey' Theme Song Has Words?
But, what you probably don’t know is that the distinctive tune that plays as we watch Isis stroll the bucolic estate grounds actually has words that go along with it. Or at least it does now. (And, apparently, has for a while.)
Don Black, an Academy Award-winning English lyricist who penned several of the early James Bond themes, as well as Born Free, for which he won the Oscar for Best Song in 1966, was tasked with coming up with lyrics for one of the most recognizable theme songs in TV today. The name of the Downton theme is officially ‘Did I Make the Most of Loving You?’ and, given the various emotional events of Series 3, may leave fans a little choked up once they read the lyrics.
The existence of the song’s lyrics is apparently not actually news, but Black recently did an interview with BBC Radio Two wherein he talked about his life, his work, and the process of writing the lyrics to the Downton theme. This interview gave rise to a bunch of news articles implying that the words to the song were new – or, possibly, for some of us, alerting us to the fact that the lyrics existed at all. (Sorry, guys, I am clearly a failure.)
Black actually wrote the lyrics to the theme music two years ago at the request of composer John Lunn and the track was recorded with vocals by English singer Mary-Jess Leaverland. The song has never been played – with words, anyway – on the show itself, but you can find it on the official Downton soundtrack. Take a listen below.
In the interview, Black says that got a call from Lunn, who asked him whether he’d be willing to provide words for the song’s music. “I’d never seen the program, so I looked at an episode and then the line just came out to me, ‘Did I make the most of loving you?’” Black said. “It was a universal thought that seemed to apply to a lot of things.” (How he’d managed to have never seen Downton before is a whole other question that he did not address…)
The full lyrics are as follows, so all you Downton diehards can get started on memorizing them in time for the new season:
Did I make the most of loving you?
So many things we didn’t do.
Did I give you all my heart could give?
Two unlived lives with lives to live.
When these endless, lonely days are through, I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
Did we make the most of all we had?
Not seeing you makes my heart sad.
Did we make the most of summer days?
We still have time to change our ways.
When these endless, lonely days are through, I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
Did those tender words stay in my head?
So many things were left unsaid.
Did I give you all my heart could give?
Two unlived lives with lives to live.
When these endless, lonely days are through, I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
I’ll make the most of loving you.
Downton Abbey returns for Series 4 this Fall in the UK will air in the US beginning January 5, 2014.
Thoughts on the song? Like it? Loathe it? Wish the theme song had stayed wordless? We’re curious!
