What does Auld Lang Syne mean – and what are the lyrics? – World News

With most of the country practically on lockdown, New Years celebrations are going to be quiet this year.

Pubs and restaurants are closed, indoor gatherings are prohibited, and fireworks will not run normally.

But that doesn’t mean people won’t celebrate the end of 2020 and cautiously look forward to what 2021 might bring.

Households and supportive bubbles can break the champagne, count the hours until midnight, and kiss when the hour strikes 12.

And we can expect to hear the chorus of Robert Burns’ famous farewell, Auld Lang Syne.

A nostalgic song about friends remembering the past and looking to the future, Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung at midnight to see the old year and welcome to the new.

Here’s how it started, what it means and the lyrics to sing.

What does Auld Lang Syne mean?

Auld Lang Syne translates to “long old”, “old days” or “days gone by”. It is a folk song by Robert Burns (who said he “took it from an old man” that he heard sing it), which is traditionally used as a farewell in Scotland.

It is sung at Hogmanay and Burns Night, and at the end of weddings, funerals and ceilidhs.

Auld Lang Syne quickly became a New Years tradition across the British Isles and around the world.

What are the words of Auld Lang Syne?

If you want to sing along with Auld Lang Syne on New Years Eve this year, the lyrics are:

Should we forget an acquaintance,

and never thought?

Should we forget an acquaintance,

and the days of auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo,

for a long view,

we’ll take another cup of kindness,

for a long view.

And you will surely be your font!

and surely I will be mine!

And we’ll take another cup of kindness,

for a long view.

CHORUS

We have twa hae running on the bras,

and pou’d the gowans well;

But we wandered my tired fit,

sin ‘auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We paid for the burn,

fresh morning sun until dinner;

But the seas between us braids roared

sin ‘auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there is a hand, my faithful proud!

and gie is a hand!

And we’re gonna take a good gude-willie waught,

for a long view.

CHORUS

What are the lyrics in English?

Auld Lang Syne translated into English goes like this:

Should we forget an old acquaintance,

and never thought?

Should we forget an old acquaintance,

and a long time ago?

CHORUS:

For days, my dear,

for days a long time ago,

we’ll take another cup of kindness,

for days a long time ago.

And you will surely buy your pint mug!

and I will surely buy mine!

And we’ll take another cup of kindness,

for days a long time ago.

CHORUS

We both ran down the slopes,

and I picked the daisies well;

But we wandered many tired feet,

for days a long time ago.

CHORUS

We both paddled in the creek,

from morning sun to dinner;

But the seas between us roared

for days a long time ago.

CHORUS

And there is a hand my faithful friend!

And give me a hand!

And we’ll take a good draft of goodwill,

for days a long time ago.

CHORUS