Happy 2008!!!
I have often wondered what the phrase “Auld Lang Syne” meant… but I never bothered looking it up until now. I’d imagine that most people don’t even think of the phrase outside of a New Year’s Eve party.
I took a quick look for the term on Wikipedia hoping to educate myself… what on earth did we do for random bits of info before the internet???
“Auld lang syne” is literally “Old long since” which is more loosely translated as “Days gone by”. Here are the original lyrics by Robert Burns (the text in italics has been modernized; e.g. old was originally auld):
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?
- CHORUS:
- For auld lang syne, my dear,
- for auld lang syne,
- we’ll take a cup o’ 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.
- CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
- CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
- CHORUS
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.
-
CHORUS
