The Words to Auld Lang Syne
This song is an excellent ode to old friends and friendship. Most appropriate for midnight singing into the New Year.
‘Auld Lang Syne’ means ‘for the sake of old times’. The language in the song is Scottish.
Imagine an unexpected meeting with a dear friend with whom you have been separated by distance and time. Let’s drink and catch up til the sun rises in the morning. Yea! I rather like the idea of seeing my friends who knew me when.
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie’s a hand o’ thine!”
—–by
In 1788, Robert Burns sent the poem to the Scots Musical Museum, indicating that it was a very old song but, as far as he knew, he was the first to record it.
Many know the tune, but now you can impress your friends with the words.
Happy New Year!
