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 dreamed of all the
great things we could do
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
lalalalalala
lalalalalala
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
lalalalalala
lalalalalala
lalalalalalalalalala
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
lalalalalala
lalalalalala
lalalalalalalalalala
lalalalalala
lalalalalala
lalalalalalalalala
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
lailailaiilailailai
lalalalalala
lalalalalalalalalala
lalalalala
lalalalala
lalalalai lalalalalalai
