Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Auld Lang Syne

Scottish Poem By Robert Burns

Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song.

It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight and often to round off an evening's Scottish country dancing throughout the year. (Auld Lang Syne Song - Information Video)

Auld Lang Syne is thought to be the second most commonly sung song in the whole world regardless of country, race or religion, after Happy Birthday. Often just the first verse, chorus, last verse and chorus is sung.

As you would expect from such a popular old song, many variations of the lyric co-exist. Below are some of the most common variations.


Related Scottish Country Dances

Auld Lang Syne (Sherman)
Auld Lang Syne (Wilson)
Burns Night
Here's A Hand (Ackerley)
Here's A Hand (Firth)
Here's A Hand My Trusty Fiere
Willie-Waught

Auld Lang Syne By Robert Burns - Standard English Version (Singable)

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 me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

Chorus


Auld Lang Syne By Robert Burns - Burns' Original Scots 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 jo,
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 gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.

Chorus


Auld Lang Syne By Robert Burns - Common Variation

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to min'?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And day's o' 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!

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't i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine:
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne

Chorus

And here's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gies a hand o' thine;
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught,
For auld lang syne!

Chorus

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


Auld Lang Syne Song Video

Auld Lang Syne Song - Information Video
Robert Burns portrait by Peter Taylor
Robert Burns Detail
"Portrait Of Burns" Peter Taylor (1759-1796), Painting, c. 1786-1787


The Online Scots Dictionary Translate Scots To English.
Published in https://www.robertburns.org/works/236.shtml
Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Auld Lang Syne article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Peter Taylor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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