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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Vocals
Joey Schmidt
Joey Schmidt
Accordion
Ilya Toshinsky (from Bering Strait)
Ilya Toshinsky (from Bering Strait)
Dulcimer
Jay Weaver
Jay Weaver
Bass
Angela Cruz
Angela Cruz
Choir
Drew Cline
Drew Cline
Choir
Duane Hamilton
Duane Hamilton
Choir
John Mark Ivey
John Mark Ivey
Choir
Kim Fleming
Kim Fleming
Choir
Lisa Bevill
Lisa Bevill
Choir
Lisa Cochran
Lisa Cochran
Choir
Robert Bailey
Robert Bailey
Choir
Vicki Hampton
Vicki Hampton
Vocals
Sash Vosk
Sash Vosk
Conductor
Bob Mater
Bob Mater
Drums
Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Strings
Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin
Performer
Stuart Duncan
Stuart Duncan
Fiddle
Andy Hall
Andy Hall
Guitar
Porter Wagoner
Porter Wagoner
Performer
Bryan Sutton
Bryan Sutton
Guitar
Sam Bush
Sam Bush
Mandolin
The Moscow Circus
The Moscow Circus
Performer
The Opry Gang
The Opry Gang
Performer
Tony Smith
Tony Smith
Piano
Anthony Lamarchina
Anthony Lamarchina
Strings
David Angell
David Angell
Strings
Kristin Wilkinson
Kristin Wilkinson
Strings
Jennifer O'Brien
Jennifer O'Brien
Vocals
Richard Dennison
Richard Dennison
Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Gene Raskin
Gene Raskin
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Producer
Adam Dye
Adam Dye
Engineer
Greg Lawrence
Greg Lawrence
Engineer
Leslie Richter
Leslie Richter
Engineer
Sarah Jane Schmeltzer
Sarah Jane Schmeltzer
Engineer
Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Engineer

Lyrics

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, la-la, la-la-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
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
But in the glass, I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me?
Through the door, there came familiar laughter
I saw your face, I 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)
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
Those were the days
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
Oh yes, those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
Oh yes, those were the days
Written by: Gene Raskin
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