Those Were The Days
Hopkins Lyrics
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Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
Think of all the great things we would do?
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da
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
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
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
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
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
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
"Those Were The Days" is a nostalgic song about the fleeting nature of youth and friendship. The first verse introduces us to a tavern where the singer and their friends would gather and dream about the future. They reminisce about the carefree days of their youth where they thought they could conquer the world, singing and dancing all night long. However, as they grew older and went their separate ways, life happened, and they lost touch with each other.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on how time has passed them by, and they have lost their youthful optimism. They encounter an old friend at the tavern, and they exchange a knowing smile, acknowledging how time has changed them both. Finally, in the last verse, the singer looks in the mirror and sees a reflection of someone who was once young and hopeful, but who has now grown older and wiser. However, in their hearts, they still hold on to the dreams they had in their youth. The song ends on a note of bittersweet nostalgia, acknowledging that life may not have turned out the way they imagined, but the memories of those carefree days will always be with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time there was a tavern
There was a tavern back in the days
Where we used to raise a glass or two
We made merry, we drank and enjoyed ourselves
Remember how we laughed away the hours
We had so much fun that time flew by unnoticed
And think of all the great things we would do
We had high aspirations and plans of greatness
Those were the days my friend
We look back on those days with nostalgia
We thought they'd never end
We believed those days would last forever
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We rejoiced endlessly
We'd live the life we choose
We were carefree and autonomous
We'd fight and never lose
We were confident and undefeated
For we were young and sure to have our way
Youthful exuberance gave us a sense of invincibility
Then the busy years went rushing by us
Time passed by, we got older and our lives got busier
We lost our starry notions on the way
Our naive optimism faded away
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
If we happen to meet again in the same place
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
We'll acknowledge each other and reminisce
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
I went back to the tavern tonight
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
Everything had changed
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
I looked at my reflection and didn't recognize myself
Was that lonely woman really me
I was surprised to see myself so different from the past
Through the door there came familiar laughter
I heard familiar laughter coming from the door
I saw your face and heard you call my name
I recognized your face and heard you call me
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
We've aged but we're still as foolish as before
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Our old dreams and aspirations remain unchanged
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Raskin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@coloradokevin1675
My friend,
I am soon to be 61. I have heart problems and stage 2 cancer. I can only convey to you to keep your head up. Never give up. Remember the good times you and your wife had.
Honor her memory.
Ignore what others tell you. They do not understand.
By doing so, this will help you in ways you have yet to understand.
Keep in touch if this helps.
@1sublyustrum
Ехали на тройках с бубенцами
А вдали мелькали огоньки
Эх, как бы и мне теперь за вами
Душу бы развеять от тоски
Дорогой длинною, да ночкой лунною
Да с песней той, что вдаль летит звеня
Да с той старинною, с той семиструнною
Что по ночам так мучила меня
Да, выходит пели мы задаром
Понапрасну ночь за ночью жгли
Если мы покончили со старым
Так и ночи эти отошли
Дорогой длинною, да ночкой лунною
Да с песней той, что вдаль летит звеня
Да с той старинною, с той семиструнною
Что по ночам так мучила меня
В даль родною новыми путями
Нам отныне ехать суждено
Ехали на тройках с бубенцами
Да теперь приехали давно
Дорогой длинною, да ночкой лунною
Да с песней той, что вдаль летит звеня
Да с той старинною, с той семиструнною
Что по ночам так мучила меня
Да с той старинною, с той семиструнною
Что по ночам так мучила меня
@doveshel1646
I am almost 96 old and always love to hear this song.Mary Hopkins does it beautiful!!
@che2933
64yo 💝
@emizerri
God bless you
@rachelcherian2056
I love this song so much
@mageds2684
You’re luck to have lived so long and lived a life rich with experience.
@wiesawhajdul3054
@@che2933 iu 8
@yamerosolitario2
My wife passed away on march 26th., 2023 and I can not stop crying when I hear this beautiful song!
@W84Mary
aww condolences, I know its hard 😢
@BJ-fe7wd
So sorry man
@howardpoole5391
condolences