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

 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.
 La la la la...

 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 la...

 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 la..