Auld Lang Syne
There’s an video on Yahoo this morning about how many people don’t know the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne. I admit, I’m one of them. Mainly because the words aren’t really English, they’re a Scottish dialect, and who the hell really knows what Auld Lang Syne really means, anyway? So, being the ever curious E-Lo, I decided to fill my brain with knowledge on the last day of 2006.
Robert Burns was the man who composed Auld Lang Syne. There were many poems and songs comprised of the same elements, but somehow his version became the most famous.
Here are the words in Scots:
Verse One
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 dearFor auld Lang syne, We'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne!
Verse Two
And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For 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!
Who knew there was even a second verse? And what the hell is a “guid-willie waught,” or a “fiere?” There are actually five full verses to the song, with words that make you think that you fell through the looking glass.
And how many people really question the words to this song? I’d say most people who sing this song are probably drunk by the time midnight rolls around and just stumble through it. I know I’m guilty of that.
Roughly translated into English, the words are:
Verse One
Should old friendships be forgotten and never remembered? Should old friendships be forgotten
And old friends and days?
Chorus
For old friends and days, my dear
For old friends and days
We will still take a drink
For old friends and days
Verse Two
And here is a hand my trusted friend
And give me your hand
And we will take a good toast
For old friends and days
Chorus
For old friends and days, my dear
For old friends and days
We will still take a drink
For old friends and days
Ah… now it all makes sense, right? Although, I admit, it's much catchier in Scots.
So tonight, at midnight, after you kiss your significant other, take the hand of your trusty fiere, raise your glass, and make a right guid-willie waught to auld lang syne.
Have a safe and happy new year. For old friends and day, my dear.
Robert Burns was the man who composed Auld Lang Syne. There were many poems and songs comprised of the same elements, but somehow his version became the most famous.
Here are the words in Scots:
Verse One
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 dearFor auld Lang syne, We'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne!
Verse Two
And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For 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!
Who knew there was even a second verse? And what the hell is a “guid-willie waught,” or a “fiere?” There are actually five full verses to the song, with words that make you think that you fell through the looking glass.
And how many people really question the words to this song? I’d say most people who sing this song are probably drunk by the time midnight rolls around and just stumble through it. I know I’m guilty of that.
Roughly translated into English, the words are:
Verse One
Should old friendships be forgotten and never remembered? Should old friendships be forgotten
And old friends and days?
Chorus
For old friends and days, my dear
For old friends and days
We will still take a drink
For old friends and days
Verse Two
And here is a hand my trusted friend
And give me your hand
And we will take a good toast
For old friends and days
Chorus
For old friends and days, my dear
For old friends and days
We will still take a drink
For old friends and days
Ah… now it all makes sense, right? Although, I admit, it's much catchier in Scots.
So tonight, at midnight, after you kiss your significant other, take the hand of your trusty fiere, raise your glass, and make a right guid-willie waught to auld lang syne.
Have a safe and happy new year. For old friends and day, my dear.
Comments