504. Those Were the Days (Gene Raskin) - Steve Walker

New York's White Horse Tavern was famous in the 1960s as a meeting place for folk singers like Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs and the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Gene Raskin, who also frequented the tavern, wrote this song lamenting the passing of those golden days. Apparently he used a traditional Russian tune for the melody.

The song was popularized in the early 1960s by The Limeliters, but the best known recording was by Mary Hopkin (1968), produced by Paul McCartney. It was also the final song recorded by the Clancys.

Steve Walker may have forgotten his red shirt, but he didn't forget to bring his guitar to the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir end of season party at Helena May. Here he is leading the audience in a singalong of this classic.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• limeliters
• mary
• hopkin
• clancy
• white
• horse
• tavern
• steve
• walker
• hkwmvc
• hong
• kong
• welsh
• male
• voice
• choir

[trustasia]

G'day Raymond it was great to catch up with you at the OCH, 2 days ago, pity the HKWMVC guys were still recovering from Beijing and could'nt join us. I am back in Australia now and looking forward to an aussie Xmas for a change. Thanks for posting this video, it was a great night, I only wish I had not forgotten to wear my HKWMVC red shirt.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Steve. It was good to catch up with you again. I found out some of them were actually at the OCH a bit earlier but must have left before you and your friends arrived. Hope to see you some time in Australia. Keep up the singing.

[rington1]

What a great night it must have been. Thanks for the posting. Any more?

Alex...

[raymondcrooke]

Two more coming. I've had computer problems so there's a bit of a delay.

[nondepouk]

wonderful!!! when I was a little boy, it was my favourite song. it was sung by Dalida in frensh.

thanks so uch for this delicious memory,

[raymondcrooke]

I don't think I've heard the French version. I'm sure it would work really well. It has a kind of French cabaret sound about it.

[raymondcrooke]

We do sometimes do a concert with a women's choir or sing with a female guest performer at our annual ball. I'm sure she'd be very welcome! :-)

[raymondcrooke]

High praise indeed, coming from such a fan of Mary Hopkin. I agree that Steve did a great job with this.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks. I'm glad we managed to capture it.

[raymondcrooke]

Of course!

[raymondcrooke]

Glad you're enjoying this, Max. I have two more snippets to come.