Every year, at the strike of midnight on 31 December, there will always be those who burst into the stirring rendition of Auld Lang Syne. It is so synonymous to the New Year’s Eve celebration, so much so that it has become a tradition worldwide.
And so, we sing.
Or at least, we sing the first few lines and mumble through the rest. Let’s be honest. Despite its popularity, few of us actually know the lyrics beyond the first verse.
What is Auld Lang Syne?
If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone. You see, the phrase is not even in English so you don’t have to feel stupid if you don’t know it. The song is based on a poem written in the 18th century Scots. There are similarities to English but there would also be words like those in the later verses of the song that would be utterly alien to English speakers.
Auld Lang Syne literally translates to “old long since” or “long long ago.” “For Auld Lang Syne” means “for (the sake of) old times”, “for days past” or “for days gone by.” In a fairytale context, it translates to “Once upon a time”.
Should old acquaintance be forgot?
A lot of people get confused as to what the opening lyrics mean. In When Harry Met Sally, Harry ponders at the meaning of Auld Lang Syne:
“What does it mean? My whole life, I don’t know what this song means. I mean ‘Should old acquaintance be forgot’? Does that mean we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happen to forget them we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot them.”
Sally responds, “Well, maybe it just means that we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway, it’s about old friends.”
That’s right Sally.
It’s a rhetorical question.
The speaker is asking whether old friends should be forgotten, as a way to say the obvious fact: that old friends should NOT be forgotten. I’m assuming that they’ve not mastered the art of plain talking back then. Heh.
What does the song mean?
The song is all about standing at a point in time: looking back and honoring the good old days spent with friends and loved ones while at the same time we toast to health and goodwill for the future. That is why it relates perfectly to New Year’s Eve.
As already figured out above, the first verse is merely stating that we should remember old friends.
In the second verse which goes:
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.
The speaker is saying that even though he and his friend are distance apart, each can buy their own drinks and raise a toast to the other. We do this all the time to people who are not present and even for those who have passed on: we raise a glass in their honor and remember them for the good old times.
In the third and fourth verses, the speaker is reminiscing his childhood times: running about the hillside, picking daisies and wading in the stream with his friend. They now lead different lives, separated by distance.
In the last verse:
And there’s a hand my trusty fiere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
Some people think that this verse is about reunion. The speaker is offering his hand to the friend and ask the friend to give his hand in return. They then raise a toast to the future. I’d like to think this verse also means that whatever the future holds, if we have friends and loved ones nearby with whom we can share our ups and downs, things will be alright.
Where did this song come from?
It originated from a low land Scottish folksong. It was first written by Robert Burns, a Scottish poet in the 1700 who claimed “I took it down from an old man.” It is believed that Robert has made some adjustments to the original version to become what it is known today.
“For the sake of Auld Lang Syne” is nonsensical
Perhaps you may not care at this point in the evening and to correct the person next to you will make you the party pooper, but: the final line of the chorus is not “For the sake of Auld Lang Syne.” Instead, it’s just “For Auld Lang Syne” because For Auld Lang Syne itself already means “for the sake of old times.” Just saying.
Below is the full lyrics to the song for you to refresh your mind and impress your date tonight.
Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!xo
—–
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.
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wandered mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun til 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 gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
—–
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And auld 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!
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We two have run about the hillside,
And picked the daisies fine,
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled (waded) in the stream,
From morning sun til dine,
But seas between us broad has roared,
Since auld lang syne.
And here’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give a hand of yours!
And we’ll take a right goodwill draught (of ale),
For auld lang syne.