21 August 2010

regret (v.), part deux







Pain of mind on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing; grief; sorrow; especially, a mourning on account of the loss of some joy, advantage, or satisfaction.* 



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 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 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 la la, la la la la la la
la la la la, 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
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 la la, la la la la la la
la la la la, oh yes, 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 fellow 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
for we were young and sure to have our way

la la la la la la, la la la la la la
la la la la, oh yes, those were the days

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
for we were young and sure to have our way

la la la la la la, la la la la la la
la 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,
oh yes, those were the days


mary hopkin, those were the days, 1968

No comments: