auld lang syne

by nowisee 2 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  nowisee

  liz smith printed the lyrics (following) in her column this morning, bemoaning the fact that everyone sings this song while getting sloshed on new year's eve, but what does it mean? does anyone know? someone in scotland? little toe?

  "should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind/should auld acquaintance be forgot/and days of auld lang syne.

  for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne/we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

  we two have run about the braes/and pulled the gowans find/but we've wandered many a weary foot/since auld lang syne. we two have paddled in the burn/from morning sun till dine/but seas between us braid have roared, since auld lang syne. and there's a hand, my trusty friend/and gives a hand of mine/and we'll take a right guide-willie waught/for auld lang syne. and surely you'll be your pintstoup/and surely i'll be mine/and we'll take a cup of kindness yet/for auld lang syne."

  anyway, happy 2004 everyone. nowisee
• 

  Nathan Natas

  This is from http://www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_syne.htm

  First, the original Auld Lang Syne:

  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 you'll be your pint-stowp,
  And surely I'll be mine,
  And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
  For auld lang syne!

  Chorus

  We twa hae ran about the braes,
  And pu'd the gowans fine,
  But we've wander'd monie a weary fit
  Sin' auld lang syne.

  Chorus

  We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
  Frae morning sun til dine,
  But seas between us braid hae roar'd
  Sin' auld lang syne.

  Chorus

  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

  Meaning of unusual words:
  Auld lang syne = Former days and friends
  jo = dear
  stowp = tankard
  gowans = daisies
  braid = broad
  Guid-willie waught = friendly draught

  Here is the "translation" into modern English. There is no doubt that Burns did it better!

  Days Long Ago

  Should old acquaintances be forgotten
  And never be remembered?
  Should old acquaintances be forgotten
  and days long ago.

  Chorus:
  For days long ago, my dear,
  For days long ago
  We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
  For days long ago!

  And surely you'll have your pint tankard
  And surely I'll have mine.
  And we'll drink a cup of kindness yet
  For days long ago.

  Chorus

  We two have run about the hills
  And pulled the daisies fine
  But we've wandered many a weary mile
  Since the days long ago.

  Chorus

  We two have paddled in the stream
  From morning sun till dinner-time
  But the broad seas have roared between us
  Since the days long ago.

  Chorus

  And here's my hand, my trusty friend,
  And give me your hand too,
  And we will take an excellent good-will drink
  For the days of long ago.
• 

  sandy

  http://wilstar.com/xmas/auldlangsyne.htm