For Auld Lang Syne

Date posted: Tuesday 22nd December 2015

Hello everyone!

2015 is almost finished and it’s time to look ahead to 2016.

I hope you’ve all had a good year and that 2016 brings health and happiness to you and your family.

But that’s not all… at this time of year millions of people across the globe link hands across their chests, then sing a song that they don’t know the words to. Yes, that’s right, it’s Auld Lang Syne.

Finally I can reveal the meaning of this song and give you a translation from old Scots into English. If you’ve ever wondered what a ‘right guid willy waught’ is, read on….

The song was written by Scottish poet, Robert Burns, based on an old Scottish air.

Two people meet after a long absence. They reminisce about their early adventures, running around on the hills from morning until evening, picking flowers and paddling in the streams. Then they decide to get absolutely plastered, for old times’ sake.

Here’s a short feast of YouTube clips to get you in the mood for saying goodbye to this year. Which is your favourite?

Mairi Campbell singing in Scots and Gaelic (incidentally, this version featured in Sex and the City, The Movie)

Bluegrass version from Reina del Cid and friends, from Fargo, North Dakota.

Teach yourself rock guitar version

The Boss

Red Hot Chilli Pipers (and for a fleeting moment all is revealed about what Scotsmen wear under their kilts!)

Take care out there, and happy New Year!!!

Michael

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 jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak 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 tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
Frae mornin’ sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gies a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

Should old friendship be forgotten,
And never remembered?
Should old friendship be forgotten,
And long, long ago.

Chorus

For long, long ago, my friend
For long, long ago,
We’ll drink a happy glass,
For long, long ago

And surely you’ll buy your pint-jug!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll drink a happy glass,
For long, long ago.

Chorus

We two ran about the hills
And picked beautiful flowers;
But we’ve wandered many miles
Since long, long ago.

Chorus

We two paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till evening;
But wide seas have roared between us
Since long, long ago.

Chorus

And here’s my hand, my trusty friend!
And let me have yours!
Let’s have a friendly drink
For long, long ago.

Chorus

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6 responses to “For Auld Lang Syne”

Sue says:

December 23, 2015 at 10:27 am

Happy New Year to you too Michael!
You’ve kept us all chuckling and reminiscing and thinking about things (in the way only you can!) over the past year and I just wanted to say thank you.
Take care, you’re my favourite Marmite!

Reply
- Michael Jones says:
  
  December 23, 2015 at 11:56 am
  
  Oh No!!!! Can’t I be like champagne or chocolate??? I wouldn’t be where I am now without you Sue!!!! Keep wearing THAT dress!!!
  Michael xxx
  
  Reply
Janine says:

December 24, 2015 at 3:31 am

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

Cheers,Janine

Reply
- Michael Jones says:
  
  December 24, 2015 at 11:52 am
  
  And you too Janine! Keep up the great work you are doing over there in Cambodia!
  Very best wishes
  Michael
  
  Reply
Maria Holm says:

December 28, 2015 at 9:43 am

In Danish “long ago” is still “længe siden” and is pronounced nearly as in the old song.

Reply
- Michael Jones says:
  
  December 28, 2015 at 3:55 pm
  
  Hi Maria! That’s fascinating. I understand that there was a lot of ‘Scandinavian’ influence on the Scots language and accent. The culture in northern Scotland (Orkney and Shetland) remains closely linked to ancient ‘Viking’ culture.
  I hope you have a ‘cup of kindness’ (or two!) at Hogmanay!!
  Thank you for replying
  Best wishes
  Michael
  
  Reply

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