Once upon a time there was a tavernWhere we used to raise a glass or twoRemember how we laughed away the hoursThink of all the great things we would do?
Those were the days, my friendWe thought they’d never endWe’d sing and dance forever and a dayWe’d live the life we chooseWe’d fight and never loseFor we were young and sure to have our wayLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da
Then the busy years went rushing by usWe lost our starry notions on the wayIf by chance I’d see you in the tavernWe’d smile at one another and we’d say
Those were the days, my friendWe thought they’d never endWe’d sing and dance forever and a dayWe’d live the life we chooseWe’d fight and never loseThose were the days, oh yes, those were the daysLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
Just tonight I stood before the tavernNothing seemed the way it used to beIn the glass I saw a strange reflectionWas that lonely woman really me?
Those were the days, my friendWe thought they’d never endWe’d sing and dance forever and a dayWe’d live the life we chooseWe’d fight and never loseThose were the days, oh yes, those were the daysLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
Through the door, there came familiar laughterI saw your face and heard you call my nameOh, my friend, we’re older but no wiserFor in our hearts, the dreams are still the same
Those were the days, my friendWe thought they’d never endWe’d sing and dance forever and a dayWe’d live the life we chooseWe’d fight and never loseThose were the days, oh yes, those were the daysLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daLa-la-la-da-da-daDa-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-la-la-la-laLa-la-la-la-la-la-laLa-la-la-la-la-la-la