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...
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 my friend...
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 shadow really me...