Lyrical Thursdays (ish): Auld Lang Syne

OK, so it's not exactly Thursday...  But between being on Christmas break and getting sick, my days got all jumbled up and I missed last Thursday.  So to make up for it, I'm doing a special New Year's Eve edition of Lyrical Thursdays, featuring the poem Auld Lang Syne.

Auld Lang Syne is generally attributed to Scottish poet Robert Burns, but some accounts say that he didn't compose it, he only wrote it down. Supposedly it had been around long before him, but just passed along orally.  So in 1788 Burns put quill to parchment and wrote out the lyrics to the poem now so often heard sung on New Year's Eve.

Auld Lang Syne translates literally to "Old Long Since," and more generally means "long, long ago," or "days gone by."  I thought I'd include the original Scottish lyrics with the English translation below.  You can decide which version you'll sing after the ball drops (and after your New Year's smooches, of course...!)! 

Auld Lang Syne - Scottish Lyrics

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 morning 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 gie's a hand o' thine !

And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Auld Lang Syne - English Lyrics

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and old 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 !

And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine ;

But we've wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine† ;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend !

And give us a hand o' thine !

And we'll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Happy New Year!!!