The song Those Were the Days sung by Mary Hopkins, was written by Gene Raskin, who put English lyrics to the original Russian song, Dorogoi Dlinnoyu, written by Boris Fomin.

Fomin's song included lyrics by the poet Konstantin Podrevskii.

Here is my adaptation: Those Were the Daze.

Once upon a time we played forever.  
We dashed and darted all about the fields.  
Remember how we laughed away the hours
and gobbled down – or missed! – the evening's meal?  

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 party hard then snooze,
for we were young and knew we would not age.  
Da da da da da da, da da da da da da...
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 I saw you racing to the bus stop,
we'd smile at one another and we'd say...

Those were the days my friend.  
We thought they'd never end...  (repeat chorus)

This very night I stood before my TV.
Nothing seemed the way it used to be.  
In the glass I saw a strange reflection,
was that time-pressed person really me?  

Those were the days my friend.  
We thought they'd never end...  (repeat chorus)

On the streets I hear familiar laughter.
I thought I saw your face and called your name.
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser,
'cause now each day is just a racing game.  

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 party hard then snooze,
for we were young and knew we would not age.  

Da da da da da da, da da da da da da...
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days.