“The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man's singing, is enough to recommend any air.” - Robert Burns

Original Version:

Burns’ verse:
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 dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !
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 pou’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.CHORUS We twa hae paidl’d in 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 gies a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.CHORUS


Auld Lang Syne, meaning "Long Time Ago," is an old Scottish poem by Robert Burns that is best known in modern day as a song to sing on New Year's Eve. The song is also usually by a traditional dance. The group who is singing forms a circle, holding hands for the first verse. For the second verse, arms are crossed and again linked. For the third verse everyone moves in to the center of the circle and then out again. (A/N: I'd really like to see a bunch of drunks on New Year's do this correctly.)
The fascinating part about it, is that the song is known around the world. From Ireland to Australia, South Africa to Hong Kong, and Taiwan to Canada, this song is sung to mark a farewell, or a period of moving on.
The well-known tune is pentatonic Scots folk melody. It has a quick tempo, and is obviously easier to remember than the words to the song. Poor Robert Burns doesn't usually get much credit for his poem, because it's been translated and formatted so many times (probably because people never get the words right anyway).

English translation:

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 o’ 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 hills,
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 (dinner time) ;
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

This song is used for New Years and it world renowned. Robert Burns was said to have just restored the song and the original version was written before his time. Most of the words were lost but he wrote most of the verses. The version sung and known today is a shortened version but still the same thing Burns wrote.


http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/lyrics/auldlang.html
http://people.howstuffworks.com/question279.htm
http://www.importantscots.com/auld-lang-syne-translation.htm
http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/AuldLangSyne.5.shtml
http://www.worldburnsclub.com/newsletter/auld_lang_syne_what_about.htm