Auld Lang Syne Lyrics And A Little History….

Posted on by Forest in General

I guess you need to know the Auld lang syne lyrics for this New Year’s Eve?

When I was a kid I remember being at New Years Eve parties and all the adults would sing Auld Lang Syne at midnight, or Old Lang Syne as I always thought it was called! I was expected to join in but I would just mumble the words and try and follow along with the tune. Their concentration wasn’t the best, because beer and wine was wearing the pants in the relationship by that hour, so I don’t think anyone ever noticed that I knew NONE of the lyrics outside of the chorus!

I’d say I have about half of them memorised now days but still need to brush up!

Auld Lang Syne lyrics

According to Wikipedia the Auld Lang Syne we know is an English translation of an old scots song compiled from many old songs and verses by Robert Burns in 1788. An extremely similar song was published by James Watson in 1711 called Old Long Syne. The song is sung to a tune known from old scots folk songs but it is not known if that was the tune Burns intended it to be sung over. It was also not specifically written for New Year’s but is though to be about remembering old and cheering in new so it fits great but has also been known to be used at funerals, graduations and similar events.

Here is one of the most common English translations of the song and one you and you friends / family are likely most familiar with (the first verse here is the chorus).

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.

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

Will you be singing Auld Lang Syne to bring in the New Year? I’d love to hear what else you are getting up to.

Tags: auld land syne, old long song, robert burns, scots song