♫ Those Were The Days ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, music history

I have played this one only once, back in 2020, and it got mixed reviews, but I decided to play it again tonight.  Why?  Just because it popped into my head, as songs often do, and whispered, “Play me, play me, pwease, pwease play me!”

The origins of the melody appear to be strongly claimed by the Russians, and Russian gypsies consider it their song. The name of this song seems to be “Dorogo’ Dlinnoyu” and translated means “By a long road (or way)” or “Along a long road (or way)” or “On a long way.” Some sources claim it was written by two Russian composers – B. Fomin (music) and K. Podrevsky (lyrics) at the end of the 19th century or in the beginning of 20th century. There is another song, Russian title given as “Darogoi Dli Mayou.” calling itself “Dear to Me.” this too is supposed to be a version of “Dorogo Dlinnoyu,” first recorded by Alexander Wertinsky in the 1920s.

n 1962, Gene Raskin took the melody and wrote English lyrics to it. It was popularized in the US by the folk trio The Limeliters.  In 1965, Paul McCartney saw Raskin and his wife perform this in a London club. McCartney remembered the performance 3 years later, when The Beatles formed Apple Records. In 1968, British model Twiggy telephoned McCartney about a singer who performed on the UK TV program Opportunity Knocks (the US had a similar TV show in the ’90s – Star Search). Three-time winner Mary Hopkin was a 17-year-old from Wales who had people talking about her performances. McCartney returned to London and auditioned Hopkin. He was impressed by her voice and recommended that she record “an American folk song” that he heard a few years earlier, “Those Were the Days.”

The single was released simultaneously with the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” While “Hey Jude” was #1 for nine weeks in the US, “Those Were the Days” was #2 for four of them and knocked the Beatles out of #1 in the UK charts. Not bad for the first two single releases of Apple Records.

Those Were The Days
Mary Hopkin

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 La la 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 la la
La la la la la la
La la la la La la 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 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 La la 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 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 La la la la la la

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Gene Raskin
Those Were The Days (Remastered 1991) lyrics © T.R.O. Inc.

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22 thoughts on “♫ Those Were The Days ♫”

  2. Well that sent me right down the rabbit hole: to Sandy Denny (of course) and Linda Ronstadt (of course) to several just enough to make me smile to young bluegrass singer Sierra Hull

    I usually post this around the holidays, with Jethro Tull, and I Am Santa Claus (and his old lady) …

    Liked by 1 person

    • It sounds like your rabbit hole is filled with better memories than most rabbit holes are! I’m glad you enjoyed the song … or at least, I think you’re saying you enjoyed it!

      Like

  3. We used to sing only the refrain of this on the bus to swimming classes in 4th grade. The rest of the song lyrics seemed like an old person’s song (to us, then.) Later in life, I understood and appreciated it, being such a tavern-patron, but then moved along. Now, rereading and hearing it again yet later in life, I’m not sure we’re no wiser, but it’s still a sweet song to hear, and it’s fun to sing along. Thanks, Jill!

    Liked by 3 people

    • So, this one brought back lots of fun memories! I’m glad! I’m with you, though … I’m not sure we’re any wiser. Older, more familiar with the ways of the world, but wiser? Nah, if we were, we would have changed the world by now. Anyway … I’m really glad you enjoyed the song!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Don’t you sometimes wonder if today’s generation will look back on the music of their youth with the same fondness we do? It seems unlikely to me, but who knows? I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Barry, and you’re right, it gets too little airplay these days!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Indeed … I can see why that post triggered thoughts of this song! I do wish, however, that I hadn’t gone there just now, for I read John’s comment and I am now ready to punch someone/something! What an arse! Anyway … I’m glad you liked the song!

      Liked by 1 person

      • John has a tendency to try to be ‘controversial’, Jill. I have known him from blogging for many years now, and take it all with a pinch of salt. But I obviously understand why his words upset you.
        Best wishes, Pete.

        Liked by 2 people

      • Too much past can put the present in limbo. You have caused me some thoughts. I find it quite common in my wanders to find men who view women only from the front and women who only see men from the rear. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Loved it then and that beautiful voice still sounds great. It wasn’t on her debut album – Postcard – a common trick by record companies in those days, so I ended up buying both. The album was equally lovely. The Beatles only lasted two weeks at #1 here before this took over, and stayed there for six weeks.

    All together now:

    “Those were the days my friend,
    The Beatles helped no end…”

    Liked by 4 people

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