Auld Lang Syne

[Gauracandra 1]

So its the new year, and in the English speaking world the song 'Auld Lang Syne' is very popular (its the one sung in 'Its a Wonderful Life'). Everyone has heard of it but few I believe (including me) really know the lyrics. So as a public service, to avoid embarassment at next years New Years singalong, here are the lyrics and a short dictionary of the words:

 

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!

 

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

 

Definitions for Auld Lang Syne

auld lang syne literally means "old long ago". Better translation is perhaps "times gone by"

be - pay for

braes - hills

braid - broad

burn - stream

dine - dinner/ evening time

fiere - friend

fit - foot

gowans - daisies

guid-willie waught - goodwill drink

monie - many

morning sun - noon

paidl't - paddled

pint-stowp - pint tankard

pou'd - pulled

twa - two

[Gauracandra 1]

The definition I've heard for "a cup o kindness" is to share a drink (usually Scotch whiskey). But when devotees sing the song, it refers to sharing cups of sweetrice /images/graemlins/smile.gif