Those Were The Days
Dolly Parton with Mary Hopkins Porter Wagoner & the Opry Gang and The Moscow Circus Lyrics
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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 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,
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
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
In this song, Dolly Parton, along with Mary Hopkins, Porter Wagoner & the Opry Gang, and The Moscow Circus, recall their memories of an old tavern where they used to gather and dream about their futures. They remember how they would sing, dance and laugh away the hours, dreaming of all the things they would do. These were the days when they were young and believed that they could achieve anything they set their minds to.
As time passed and the years went by, they lost their starry notions about the future. They realized that life was not always easy, and that they had to work hard to achieve their dreams. However, even in their older years, their hearts still hold on to the dreams they had so long ago.
The song is a nostalgic look back at the innocence and optimism of youth, and how it fades away as we grow older. It is a reminder that despite the challenges that we face, we should never forget the dreams that we once held dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Back in the day, there was a place where people would often come together.
Where we used to raise a glass or two
We would often socialize with drinks in hand.
Remember how we laughed away the hours
We would spend countless amounts of time telling jokes and simply having a good time.
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
We had aspirations of greatness and set high goals for ourselves.
[Chorus]
Those days were so good, we thought they'd last forever. We lived our lives unapologetically and were always confident in our abilities.
Then the busy years went rushing by us
Time flew by and we lost track of the things that matter most.
We lost our starry notions on the way
Along our journey, we lost sight of our grand ambitions.
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
If by some chance we were to run into each other at the old tavern.
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
We would have fond memories of our past.
[Chorus]
Those days were so good, we thought they'd last forever. We lived our lives unapologetically and were always confident in our abilities.
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Recently, I went back to the old tavern.
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
Everything had changed and things weren't quite the same.
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Upon looking at my own reflection, I didn't recognize the person staring back.
Was that lonely woman really me
I couldn't believe how much I had changed and how much I had let my younger self down.
[Chorus]
Those days were so good, we thought they'd last forever. We lived our lives unapologetically and were always confident in our abilities.
Through the door there came familiar laughter
Suddenly, I heard a sound that sounded all too familiar.
I saw your face and heard you call my name
It was a friend from my younger years and they called me over.
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
We've both aged, but we haven't necessarily grown wiser.
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Deep down, we still hold onto the same aspirations from our past.
[Chorus]
Those days were so good, we thought they'd last forever. We lived our lives unapologetically and were always confident in our abilities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GENE RASKIN, CHRISTOPHER BIRCH, ORVILLE BURRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabetakatalinic9369
This melodiy is both well-known and an original song to me. I understand 70% Russian without ever learning it, it's because Russian like my Croatian belongs to the Slavic languages. Dolly you sang it great like always. Na zdarovje ( cheers on Russian) and Nazdravlje ( on Croatian). Love you Dolly forever, your Eli. from Switzerland ( and Croatia ).💝🥰🥰💝🇭🇷❤🇨🇭
@SantiagoRengstorff-ws5vh
SendingallmylovetoyouDplly
@DeutscherDon
This entire album will forever hold a special place in my heart--but the wistful joy imparted by this title track might be the most special of all...thank you, Dolly, for assembling this perfect group to capture the essence of life in this tune...
@justingarza3189
My parents used to play this in the car when I was a young child, and I remember how enchanting dollys voice was and still is today, and oh my lord is this an almost haunting cover.
@debbers
Hey Dolly, I've loved you since I was a teen, I am 66 years old now and still love you. You must have been a baby when you started singing because you are still looking pretty good and still number one in my book.
@KEscano88
I love this rendition!💖
@Vytas.
I absolutely love Dolly Parton. She is such a sense making person. So logical. Once she was asked how she feels about men. She answered "with my fingers". She sings beautifully and donates money to the Covid problem solution. She is as good as it gets. The South has produced great singers. Taylor Swift, for instance. Dolly Parton is not to be overlooked. She is the true icon.
@mickiedebellot7057
I love Dolly Parton love her singing and because of her I listen to country music my favorite star of country thank you Dolly your the best🙂👍👍👍👏👏👏👏😘
@scotttucker5306
This is my favorite version of this song! ❤️U Dolly! 🤗
@livingace
im in love with dolly and nothing can change my mind !