There's a teacher in the class With a tight grip on my ear And I know he won't let go Until I can force a tear So I cry the best I can To eliminate the pain Now I forget what I did wrong All I remember is the shame Still they're saying Those were the days So simple and so clear Those were the days With only God to fear Those were the days When people weren't afraid Those were the days of hoping In my ignorance and haste I was caught out with this girl Now I am no longer chaste In this theory you have built Though it's a blessing in disguise Now I know it to be guilt Still they're saying Those were the days So simple and so clear Those were the days With only God to fear Those were the days When people weren't afraid Those were the days of hoping Those were the days When everything was right Those were the days When people used to fight Those were the days When people weren't afraid Those were the days Those were the days So simple and so clear Those were the days With only God to fear Those were the days When we weren't afraid (Those were the days) Those were the days So simple and so clear Those were the days