auld lang syne lyrics, auld lang syne meaning

auld lang syne lyrics

These three simple words—meaning “old,” “long,” and “since” in Scots—combine to form a phrase that translates loosely as “time gone by,” “old time’s sake,” or, in some contexts, “once upon a time.”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!

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’t the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidlet i’ the burn,
Frae mornin’ sun till dine:
But seas between us braid hae roar’d,
Sin auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty feire,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine;
And we’ll tak a right gude‐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.