Robert Burns (1759-1796) is widely known as the national poet of Scotland. He composed and collected many Scottish poems and folk songs, but almost none more beloved than “Auld Lang Syne,” (English ” Old Long Since”) adapted from a earlier song by James Watson “Old Long Syne” (1711). The earlier song was more of a ballad about a love gone cold and possibly sung to a different tune.
As Scots, English, Welsh, and Irish emerged around the globe in the 18th and 19th centuries, it traveled along, as did the custom of its singing at year’s end to sing in the new year with fresh grace and hopes for peace and prosperity.
Auld Lang Syne (English Lyrics)
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
II
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Repeat Chorus
III
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
Repeat Chorus
IV
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
Repeat Chorus
V
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
Repeat Chorus
Auld Lang Syne (Scots Pronunciation) Short Ver.
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an nivir brocht‡ ti mynd?
Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
an ald lang syn*?
Chorus:
Fir ald lang syn, ma jo,
fir ald lang syn,
wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
fir ald lang syn.
Sources
- WikiPedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne
- WikiPedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns
- RobertBurns.Org | http://www.robertburns.org/works/236.shtml
- Historic-UK.com | https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Robert-Rabbie-Burns/
