'Auld Lang Syne' Lyrics and Meaning Explained for 2021
"Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most iconic New Year's Eve songs out there but few, including Billy Crystal aka Harry Burns know the meaning behind the ode to days gone by.
New Year's Eve is never mentioned in the song's lyrics, but as a tribute to old times and good friends, it yields a nostalgic aura to a night that is about reminiscing on the past and looking toward the future. More than two centuries since the words to "Auld Lang Syne" were first penned, there's still a bit of confusion about its origin, composer, lyrics and meaning.
The first item of business to take care of is to clear up any debate over the most basic lyric of the song. It's "auld" lang syne, not "old" lang syne, although it's an acceptable mistaken lyric not only because "auld" sounds like "old" but because "auld" translates to "old" in Scottish.
"Auld Lang Syne'' didn't start off as a New Year's Eve song, but originated as a poem written by Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. He wrote it in 1788, however, it wasn't printed until after he died in 1796, according to Brittanica.
It then took another three years before Burns' words and the music that people now know to be "Auld Lang Syne" appeared together. The compilation for the Scottish song was published by George Thomson in 1799 and has since become part of Hogmanay, a Scottish new year celebration.
"Auld Lang Syne" translates to "old long since" but the less literal meaning behind the phrase is "days gone by." The lyrics tell the story of old friends reminiscing on their previous adventures and toasting to them with a drink or two. Among the memories discussed in the song are running through a hillside filled with daisies and spending the day paddling in a stream. There are many different versions of the song and musicians put their own spin on the classic, but below are the Scottish and English versions of the song, courtesy of CNN.
Auld Lang Syne Lyrics
Scottish Version
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 jo,
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.
REPEAT CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.
REPEAT CHORUS
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn
Frae mornin' sun till dine.
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
REPEAT CHORUS
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
REPEAT CHORUS
English Version
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And long, long ago.
REPEAT CHORUS
And for long, long ago, my dear
For long, long ago.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For long, long ago.
And surely youll buy your pint-jug!
And surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet
For long, long ago.
REPEAT CHORUS
We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many the weary foot
Since long, long ago.
REPEAT CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since long, long ago.
REPEAT CHORUS
And there's a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we'll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.
REPEAT CHORUS
Or as Meg Ryan, aka Sally Albright, says, "Maybe it just means that we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway, it's about old friends."
