Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne is the most famous of English-language New Year's songs, sung around the world throughout not only the UK but also the US, Canada, and Australia after the stroke of midnight. You may not recognize the title, but the first verse will surely bring the proper tune to mind, particularly on this, the first day of 2008.

Well, it turns out the song is Scottish! (Mark always thought it was German; one look at the lyrics below illustrates why.) No one really knows how this ballad - with words partially collected from an ancient oral tradition and partially written by Scotland's poet Robert Burns, then set to the tune of an ancient Scottish song - became so widespread. The title, like much of the song, is in the Scots language, and it translates literally into modern English as 'Old Long Since' or more poetically as 'Long, Long Ago.'

Considering the scant population (~5.1 million) of this remote, wilderness-dominated country, it's impressive to learn of the various influences it has had elsewhere in the world.

Auld Lang Syne

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 dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Verses
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!

We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

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.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.