"Auld Lang Syne"[1] is a Scottish folk song based on a poem written by Robert Burns. More than a decade later, it was put into a traditional folk tune. Nowadays, it is played on New Year's Eve and other occasions where people bid their farewells.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Lyrics[]
Auld Lang Syne - The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
Anglo-Scots original (Robert Burns, 1788)
Scots version
IPA transcription (Ayrshire dialect)
English version
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus:
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-stoup!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin' auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And good old times
Chorus:
For old time since, my dear,
For good old times,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For good old times.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For good old times.
Chorus
We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since good old times.
Chorus
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since good old times.
Chorus
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand of thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
For good old times.
Chorus
International usage[]
Due to its popularity worldwide, it has been translated into many languages. The South Korean national anthem originally used the tune of "Auld Lang Syne". The Chinese song "Everlasting and Unchanging Friendship" (友谊地久天长 Yǒuyì Dìjiǔ-Tiāncháng) written by Bu Xiang in 1999, and the Japanese song "Hotaru no Hikari" (蛍の光) written by Chikai Inagaki in 1881 are played to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne".
References[]
↑Lang Syne. Rennie, Susan (ed.). Dictionary of the Scots Language.
