Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

"Auld Lang Syne"

noun: auld lang syne

1. times long past.

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788


Robert Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum with the remark, "The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man."  

Some of the lyrics were indeed "collected" rather than composed by the poet; the ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711 by James Watson shows considerable similarity in the first verse and the chorus to Burns' later poem,  and is almost certainly derived from the same "old song".

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.

CHORUS:

On old long syne my Jo,
On old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On old long syne.

*********************************************
 
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

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

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine^†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

The song begins by posing a rhetorical question: Is it right that old times be forgotten? 

The answer is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships. 

 "Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. 

 As well as celebrating the New Year, "Auld Lang Syne" is very widely used to symbolize other "endings/new beginnings" – including farewells, funerals and  graduations.


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne