what do the lyrics to auld lang syne mean

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 What Do The Lyrics To  A uld L a ng S yn e Mean? The confusion over this famous song in modern times is arguably almost as much of a tradition as the song itself. As New Year’s Eve revelers stumble and mumble through the verses, singing the “auld lang syne” part much louder than the rest of the song lyrics because it’s really the only part they know well, someone always asks what do the words mean?”  The title of the Scottish song,  Auld Lan g Syne, translates from the Scots dialect literally to “ Old Long Since, but is better understood in modern language as times gone by. The lyrics are about remembering friends from the past and not letting them be forgotten. So, “for auld lang syne” means “for old time sake”. The lyrics are set to the melody of a traditional Scots folk song. Despite its strong association with New Year’s Eve,  Auld Lang Syne, written by the famous Scots poet Robert Burns in 1788, was never intended to be a holiday song as such. But it quickly became popular and started being used for New Year’s Eve all over the world. When the Scottish and their friends gather to sing the song, they also form a circle and hold hands and, at the verse, "And there's a hand my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o thine,"  cross arms and re-join hands. This is said to symbolize the crossing of one s heart. It is not always done though. Following are the lyrics of  Auld Lan g Syne in the original Scots, side-by-side with the English translation.

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The confusion over this famous song in modern times is arguably almost as much of a tradition as the song itself.

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  • What Do The Lyrics To Auld Lang Syne Mean? The confusion over this famous song in modern times is arguably almost as much of a tradition as the song itself. As New Years Eve revelers stumble and mumble through the verses, singing the auld lang syne part much louder than the rest of the song lyrics because its really the only part they know well, someone always asks what do the words mean? The title of the Scottish song, Auld Lang Syne, translates from the Scots dialect literally to Old Long Since, but is better understood in modern language as times gone by. The lyrics are about remembering friends from the past and not letting them be forgotten. So, for auld lang syne means for old time sake. The lyrics are set to the melody of a traditional Scots folk song. Despite its strong association with New Years Eve, Auld Lang Syne, written by the famous Scots poet Robert Burns in 1788, was never intended to be a holiday song as such. But it quickly became popular and started being used for New Years Eve all over the world. When the Scottish and their friends gather to sing the song, they also form a circle and hold hands and, at the verse, "And there's a hand my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o thine," cross arms and re-join hands. This is said to symbolize the crossing of ones heart. It is not always done though.

    Following are the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne in the original Scots, side-by-side with the English translation.

  • Auld Lang Syne

    Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o lang syne!

    Chorus: For auld lang syne, my dear For auld lang syne, Well tak a cup o kindness yet For auld lang syne!

    We twa hae run about the braes, And pud the gowans fine, But weve wanderd mony a weary foot Sin auld lang syne.

    We twa hae paidlt in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roard Sin auld lang syne.

    And theres a hand, my trusty fiere, And gies a hand o thine, And well tak a right guid willie-waught For auld lang syne!

    And surely yell be your pint stoup, And surely Ill be mine! And well tak a cup o kindness yet For auld lang syne!

    Times Gone By

    Should old acquaintances be forgotten, And never brought to mind? Should old acquaintances be forgotten, And days of long ago!

    Chorus: For times gone by, my dear For times gone by, We will take a cup of kindness yet For times gone by.

    We two have run about the hillsides And pulled the daisies fine, But we have wandered many a weary foot For times gone by.

    We two have paddled (waded) in the stream From noon until dinner time, But seas between us broad have roared Since times gone by.

    And there is a hand, my trusty friend, And give us a hand of yours, And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale) For times gone by!

    And surely you will pay for your pint, And surely I will pay for mine! And we will take a cup of kindness yet For times gone by!

    NOTE: Not all of the lyrics are always performed, depending on the occasion and setting. Usually, only two verses and choruses are sung: first verse-chorus, last verse-chorus. Here is a link to a recording of the song on a Library of Congress website: http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/recordings/detail/id/6551/ Please explore the web for hundreds of other performances of Auld Lang Syne. And, Happy New Year! But we wish you friendship throughout the year and for all time. Following is some background on Robert Burns. Learn more about the man and his times.

  • AA TTrriibbuuttee ttoo RRoobbeerrtt BBuurrnnss:: SSccoottss PPooeett aanndd LLyyrriicciisstt

    Robert Burns (January 25, 17591796) was born in Alloway, Scotland. Over his rather short lifetime he was many things: a farmer, a tax collector, a romantic womanizer, but most of all, a poet. Burns is credited with saving the Scots dialect and inspiring thousands of other writers, then and now. However, he was not a perfect man and perhaps thats why he was and still is a folk hero. He was imperfectjust like the rest of us. Driven by a passion for the common man, freedom and romance, Burns is credited with writing several hundred poems and lyrics to existing and original melodies. He wrote with the famed Scots fiddler Niel Gow. At the height of his popularity Burns was nothing less than an international rock star. He wrote seriously and humorously about life, love, women (to be sure), politics, religion and mans inhumanity to man.

    The most famous of the works, which are credited to him, is undoubtedly Auld Lang Syne (Old Long Since). The song speaks of friendship and it wasnt originally intended for use on New Years Eve alone, but it became that over time. It has been translated into 41 languages and is performed all over the world on New Years Eve (and at other times). It has been performed by hundreds of artists including Jimi Hendrix (yes, that Jimi Hendrix), Elvis Presley (a proud Scottish-American), Bobby Darin, Billy Joel, Boney M, Guy Lombardo (of course), Mariah Carey, Pink Martini, Rod Stewart (a Scotsman who just happened to have been born in England), Kenny G, Lisa Lambe, Shirley Temple (another proud Scottish-American), and Barenaked Ladies (how appropriate!). Bob Dylan has cited Burns as his most significant influence. Abraham Lincoln read and quoted Burns all his life. ALS has been used in numerous films and television productions, and several plays and films about Burns life have been made over the years.

    Fans all over the world celebrate his memory on or around his birthday, January 25th. Burns Suppers, as they are called, such as the one presented by the Scottish St. Andrew Society of Colorado since 1963, gather people together to recite and sing his works. Some of the most popular include The Selkirk Grace, Address to the Haggis, Tam o Shanter, My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose and The Deils Awa Wi The Exciseman.

    Many statues of Burns have been erected all over the world. In 1905, the Caledonian Club erected one of him in Denver City Park. Burns was required reading in Denver Public Schools up until 1950and it should probably still be required.

    For Auld Lang Syne