Auld Lang Syne Lyrics And Translation

Scotland, the Home of Golf, also gave us Robert Burns, author of the traditional New Year’s Song, which he wrote in 1788. Auld lang syne means “days gone by.”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne [days gone by]?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo [dear],
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be [buy] your pint-stowp [pint cup] !
and surely I’ll be [buy]  mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes [slopes],
and pu’d [picked] the gowans [flowers] fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn [stream],
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 [friend] !
and gie’s a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught [right-good drink],
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Robert Burns (1758 – 1796)  is Scotland’s national poet, and is known for his work in Scottish dialect and for preserving Scottish folk songs and poems. A pioneer of the Romantic movement, Burns’ life and work today is widely celebrated. In 2009, Burns was chosen as the greatest Scot by the Scottish public in a vote run by Scottish television channel STV. Sadly, Burns lived just 37 years, dying after a dental extraction.