Ever Wonder Where Auld Lang Syne Came From?
As we get ready for those parties on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, we know we will likely be singing Auld Lang Syne.
Do you know where that song came from, who wrote it, and why? Do you know what the words mean?
The song we sing today as we celebrate New Year’s was actually one of many poems written by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns around 1799. He was one of the rare poets of his period that also carefully set his poems to music. Aren’t we glad he did!
While there were many old versions of the words and some versions of a song with the same title before this, Burns’ version is the one we all know today. There are five verses to his works. They are listed below for your enjoyment.
While we sing this song today around New Year’s Day, many also sing it at Christmas. Then, there are the Scots who have a special time set aside on January 25th – Burns Night – each year to commemorate the famous poet. You will often hear Auld Lang Syne sung as part of a celebration of Burn’s life and talents.
Auld Lang Syne is translated from these Scottish words to “Old Long Ago†and is about love and friendship in times past. The lyrics – we’ll take a cup of kindness yet – actually refers to a drink shared by men and women to symbolize friendship. Many of us drink champagne as that ceremonial drink famous at New Years. Others of us toast to the day with less potent liquid. All of us toast in celebration of love, friendships and acquaintances developed over the years.
My wish for you today is that you are able to toast to the many friends and loved ones you have as you usher out that 2006 and move into a new 2007. May your days be filled with much love and friendship in 2007.
~ Joellen
Auld Lang Syne
by Robert Burns
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 take 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 take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wandered mony a weary fit
Sin’ auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidled i’ the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’ auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.