AULD LANG SYNE
At the very turn of the year, all around the world there is one song that people delight to sing together. For many, the words themselves may mean little and not be understood but for those who do understand, they symbolise the remembrance of friends and times past – something that was of great importance to the Scots who settled around the globe and took it with them. Robert Burns didn’t write the original text but collected and developed this old song so that we can enjoy it today, wherever we are.
"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 dear, For auld lang syne. We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, 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. For auld, &c. 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. For auld, &c. 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. For auld, &c. And there's a hand, my trusty fere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught, For auld lang syne. For auld, &c."