Bamish'ol hatzar timtza adain et oto pundak yashan noshan. Vetizkor ech shir utz'chok veyayin rakmu chalom tza'ir betoch ashan.
Once upon a time there was a tavern where we used to raise a glass or two Remember how we whiled away the hours and dreamed of all the great things we would do
Chorus: Hayu yamim, chaver ach hem chalfu maher rakadnu vezimarnu "Ko Lechai" lachamnu milchamot chalamnu chalomot hayinu tse'irim vehaya kedai la la la.
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.
Ech navlu shanim ken'vol haperach nashru hachalomot im hashanim. Im tifgosh oti over baderech chayech elai metoch kimatei panim.
Then the busy years went rushing by us We lost our on the way If by chance I'd see you in the tavern We'd smile at one another and we'd say....
Chorus: Hayu yamim, chaver ach hem chalfu maher rakadnu vezimarnu "Ko Lechai" lachamnu milchamot chalamnu chalomot hayinu tse'irim vehaya kedai la la la.
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.
Rak halailah be'amdi bapetach shel oto pundak yashan noshan. Biz'gugit raiti et hatzelem shel d'muti s'chutah k'mo ashan.
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?
Hayu yamim, chaver...
Those were the days, my friend
Mibifnim alah tz'chokam paru'a sham'ati et kolcha miyamim. Yedidai zaknu ach yadu'a hachalomot yihyu tamid t'mimim.
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
Chorus: Hayu yamim, chaver ach hem chalfu maher rakadnu vezimarnu "Ko Lechai" lachamnu milchamot chalamnu chalomot hayinu tse'irim vehaya kedai la la la.
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'd choose We'd fight and never lose Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days