This is a fantastic song that older Reds recall so warmly. The tune has a real anthem feel to it is no surprise it was so popular.
What are the words?
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 ‘Cos we’re the Stret, we are the Stretford End We are the Stretford End, We are the Stretford End, We are the Stret, We are the Stretford End…What’s the original song?
Although most people remember it being the debut single by Mary Hopkin (produced by Paul McCartney) which was a big hit both here and in the US in 1968, it’s actually originally from a Russian song. A poem by Konstantin Podrevskii was set to music by a singer called Boris Fomin, which then in turn was set to English words by an old American folk singer called Gene Raskin, who intended it as a lament to the passing of the golden folk days.
The song has since been covered by lots of diverse acts including Sandie Shaw and Shaggy, whilst the Limelighters were the ones who originally popularised the song in the early 1960s. My own favourite version is from the Wedding Present offshoot, The Ukrianians, who did a proper stomp to it which was full of loads of ‘ya ya ya’s’ like you might imagine they did in Russia a hundred years ago.
And the original 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, 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’d 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 LaDoes anybody else sing it?
Wolves fans sing it as per the original except from they add ‘or three or four’ on the second line. As you can see, both United and Wolves fans have a tradition for good pop songs but perhaps the singers of the day could have been a bit more adventurous in amending the lyrics.
Any other United songs to this tune?
About three years ago I wrote a Rooney song to this tune. It’s very popular in certain circles on away trips but sadly not so much amongst wider groups of Reds, and they’ve been a number of debates as to its merits.
Once upon a time, there was a scouser We know that he was also born a blue We used to laugh away at Man United And dream of all the things that he could do… That boy has scored again He’s only happy when He puts the ball into the net it’s true He wears our number ten* He’s fucking scored again* His name is Wayne His name is Wayne Rooney La la la etc.*The original lyrics I did were:
He wears our number eight We know he’s fucking greatSo there you have it. Is it better than the popular Rooney song? Any suggestions send them in.
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This article was first published by Pete Boyle in Red Issue magazine
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