Hear/heard

This question is driving me mad.
I often (hear/heard) it (say/said), that a drowning man will catch a straw.
Wich is the correct combination and why?
Please help.

Probably hear and said, because "that a drowning man will catch a straw" is more future-oriented and having past tense at first wouldn't make since, but for the said, because that's being used as an adjective and not a verb.

I've often heard it said...

I agree with Quidsane. I've often heard it said... I'd definitely go w/ this one.

"I often heard it said.." ie, when I was a juvenile.

the correct answer is

I've often heard it said....