Writing an art-form called contrafactum -
Parody sub-type aimed at AmIRight
Posted there a spoof about our railroads *
A song that bids America ‘Goodnight’.

But if you can take A’s melody and substitute the theme from B
The lines have got to be the proper length;
If everybody knows the tune, it’s fun to hum, but less to croon
Changed lyrics can get you tongue-tied, but that’s its strength.

So, ‘Hello’ new diversion we can practice-
We might also sing A’s words to tune from B,
It’s word-play I’d call an “ABBA-contrafactum”
If it scores five hundred hits, that would satisfy me.

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two.
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And imagined all the great things that we would do.

Chorus:
Oh yes, those were the days my friend; we thought that they would never end
We’d sing and dance for ever and a day,
Live the life that we would choose, we’d fight and we would never lose,
And as youngsters we were certain to have our way.
But later, after busy years rushed by us,
Just, “La-la-la, how are you?” ’s what we’d say,
If by happenstance I saw you in the tavern.
We gave up our starry notions on the way.

Tonight I stood alone before the tavern
And nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection,
Was that lonely older woman really me?

Chorus:

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 yearnings are still the same.

Chorus:

* “Those Were Our Trains” – a contrafactum with lyrics for “The City of New Orleans” substituted into the tune “Those Were The Days” posted on Amiright, April 6th.