Auld Lang Syne
Researched that song we sing and mangle every New Year's Eve--because no one knows the words. Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne (translation "long ago") in 1788. Bandleader Guy Lombardo made it a New Year's Eve tradition beginning in 1929 on radio and later on television. Impress friends and family by knowing the words:
SHOULD auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to min'?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne?
We twa hae rin about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine; 10
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
And here '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.
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! 20
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
GLOSS: gowans] daisies. fit] foot. dine] dinner-time. fiere] partner. guid-willie waught] friendly draught.