OP says 'per se' means 'by itself'. But in this case (the alphabet song) it makes more sense for 'per se' to have it's other meaning: 'as such'. That is, the le

OP says 'per se' means 'by itself'. But in this case (the alphabet song) it makes more sense for 'per se' to have it's other meaning: 'as such'. That is, the letter means the same as 'and'.