Those Were the Days
(Gene Raskin)
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Re-member how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
cho: Those were the days my friend,
We'd thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance for-ever 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
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
Then the busy years when 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
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 person really me
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
Copyright Gene Raskin 1962,
Based on Russian folk song.
From Reader's Digest Festival of Popular Songs, p223,
RG
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!