Auld Lang Syne

Written by Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne has been around since 1788, as a Scottish poem that was soon turned into song. Chunks of it were a good deal older than this!

 Translated, it is Old Long Since, meaning Old Times or even Once Upon a Time. When we sing "For Auld Lang Syne", we're saying, "For old time's sake."

 If you've ever wondered why on earth people sing about forgetting their friends every New Year, you'll be happy to know that the first verse of the song is actually a question: Should old acquaintance be forgot? and the chorus explains why that would be a terrible idea.

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.

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.

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a wearyfoot,
since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine ;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !

And give us a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

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