Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours

And think of all the great things we would DO
Chorus:


Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day

We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way

La la la la la la
La la la la la la


Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern

We'd smile at one another and we'd say

Those were the days, my friend

We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose

We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days

La la la la la la
La la la la la la


Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection

Was that lonely woman really me?

Those were the days, my friend

We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose

We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days

La la la la la la
La la la la la la


Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser

For in our hearts the dreams are still the same...

Those were the days, my friend

We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose

We'd fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days

La la la la la la
La la la la la la