Designed & produced by Éric McLewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2023
- original version in Scots language -
(Robert Burns 1788 & 1796 & trad.)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne!
For auld lang syne, my dear
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
(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 fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught
For auld lang syne
(chorus)
(*) pint stowp = tankard
Rod Stewart
(Stirling Castle - 2012)
Auld Lang Syne
- adapted to modern English -
(Robert Burns & trad.)
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
And surely you will buy your cup
And surely I'll buy mine
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
(chorus)
We two have run about the slopes
And pulled the daisies fine
But we've wandered many a weary foot
Since the days of auld lang syne
(chorus)
We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till night
But seas between us broad have roared
Since the days of auld lang syne
(chorus)
And there's a hand, my trusty friend
And give us a hand of yours
And we will take a goodwill draught
For the sake of auld lang syne
(chorus)
Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish air : one can find some references of such a lament in a 16th century manuscript (Bannatyne Manuscript).
The famous lines « Should old acquaintance be forgot » and of course « Auld Lang Syne (Old long since/ago) » seem to appear in a 17th century poem, first published in 1711 (Watson's Choice Collection of Scots Poems).
The current melody is apparently related to some strathspeys used in Scottish Country Dance :
The Miller's Wedding (Bremner's Scots Reels - 1759) or The Miller's Daughter (Cumming's Strathspeys - McGlashan's Strathspey Reels - 1780).
Other tunes can also be linked with it, like Sir Alexander Don's Strathspey, Coming Thro' The Rye, etc.
Lyrics were published in 1796 under Robert Burns name but most of the verses are from unknown origin as Burns himself admitted it (he added only two verses).
It is now an official new year's tune since the Canadian Guy Lombardo and his orchestra played it for the occasion in 1929.
As for Amazing Grace, its popularity is worldwide, particularly in Far East (Japan, …).
Auld Lang Syne is also a standard tune for Hogmanay and for other traditional events like Burns nights or ceilidhs or to end different kinds of ceremonies.
Auld Lang Syne
GAELIC AIR
LYRICS
- score written by Éric McLewis with CelticPipes