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 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 chose  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 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...    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...    Through the door there came familiar laughter  I saw your face and heard you call my name  Oh my friends were older but no wiser  For in our hearts the dreams are still the same    Those were the days...