Those Were The Days - Mary Hopkin, 1968

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...

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 la...

---

Mary Hopkin was born in Wales, and started her music career as a folk singer in a Welch group, Selby Set and Mary. Her big break was appearing on the British talent show, Opportunity Knocks, and her life was catapulted into stardom in 1969, barely a year after finishing school. She was one of the first artists to be signed to the Beatle's Apple Records, after English model Twiggy saw her and recommended her.

Her best known song is her number one hit - Those Were The Days, released in 1968. The melody is actually an old Russian folk song, with English lyrics added by Gene Raskin. A popular singer named Sandie Shaw released a version of the song at the same time as Hopkin, declaring that a star of a TV show was no match for a real singer. It was no contest - Mary's version won hands down.

Other notable songs by Mary Hopkin include: Goodbye (written by Paul McCartney), Knock Knock, Who's There? - 1970 (Eurovision Song Contest), Temma Harbour, and I'm Gonna Fall In Love Again. Who were her biggest fans? Why...the Beatles!