Henry Mancini put his melody together from two nearly identical 16-bar sections, while lyricist Mercer matched this effort with a poignant, poetic message that managed to say all that was needed in exactly two sentences.
The Days of Wine and Roses
Laugh and run away
Like a child at play
Through the meadowland
Toward a closing door,
A door marked "Nevermore,"
That wasn't there before
The lonely night discloses
Just a passing breeze
Filled with memories
Of the golden smile that introduced me to
The Days of Wine and Roses and you
