The song as a vocal number was soon forgotten but the instrumental version gained popularity in its own right and it is in this form that it remains well known to this day.
Around 1919, musical accompaniment cue sheets start suggesting the tune "a la burlesque" to mock-dramatic scenes.
[6] "Hearts and Flowers" was not only heard in theater as accompaniment to films, but played an integral part of on-set music for actors.
Viola Dana famously requested the tune to be played in order for her to generate enough emotion for her to cry real tears.
But it washed against me like the waters of a dark ocean..."[9] There is a reference to "Hearts and Flowers" in Amazing Spider-Man #45, published February, 1967.