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The original melody for this song was created by two Russian composers in 1926 from a Russian Gypsy Folk song as a "lost love" song, "On The Long Road." Gene Raskin (from New York) created a new set of lyrics in the 1960s as "Old Friends" ballad, "Those Were The Days," to which he copyrighted the lyrics as "made public with credits given to him."

The KelticDead Music Initiative is a free, web-based, music education resource that features Celtic, Folk, Old-Time, and Seafaring tunes, songs and stories that are now found throughout the world and in every culture.
Visit the KelticDead Music website for more information and links.