the way we were

Being the consummate Barbs fan that I am, I've loved this song for ages. Listened to it countless times. And somehow always thought I knew what it meant. Whatever I thought I knew, I was wrong. Recent events have given me a new understanding of the true meaning behind the Bergman's lyrics.

scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind / can it be that it was all so simple then / tell me, would we? could we? / what's too painful to remember / we simply choose to forget

I understand. I remember.

Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories of the way we were.
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we give to one another
For the way we were.
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me would we? Could we?
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were.