Auld Lang Syne - What do these words mean?
Auld Lang Syne, sang throughout the world on New Year’s eve, was first published by Robert Burns, the Scottish poet in the 1700s. This was not his original thought. He said he “took it down from “an old man.” In fact, the first verse did exist in tradition, but Burns added other verses. The poem/song as we know it is attributed to Robert Burns. It was published after his death in 1796.
Scots spread the song though out the world. In 1929, Guy Lambardo, a Canadian band leader made Auld Lang Syne popular when he played it at the the New York New Year’s celebration.
In my life, I’ve sang Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s eve. I interpret Auld Lang Syne to mean: “Because we never want to forget old friends and that special time long ago, where ever I am and where ever you are, we’ll drink a 'cup of kindness' as a toast to the memories of that time gone by.”
Remembering old acquaintances and special times is necessary to some of us, to me for certain. Some of us cannot under any circumstance wish anyone a happy new year, until we have first gone through the process of “Auld Lang Syne.
For all of you who share history of any kind with me and I with you, “for
Auld Lang Syne,” I wish you a Happy New Year.
About Me
- Nancy Simpson
- Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."
6 comments:
Nancy I wish you a Happy New Year too! Very interesting post about Auld Lang Syne.
I love that poem, but it can sure bring tears to my eyes at times. I wonder how many people I've forgot to remember ... and I HAVE forgotten them, will I ever remember them again? Still ... I always remember that I've forgot them every time I sing that song, because it makes me appreciate the people I HAVEN'T forgot, even more!
I love you mom! Thank you again for a beautiful, wonderful and home-spun Christmas!!! You amaze me!
Thanks for your post on the song that I always sing on New Year's Eve and rarely give attention to what it means. I always feel emotional singing it and that's pretty funny considering I don't know truly what it means. I've just put my own meaning to it. I found this English translation and it makes more sense to me and I'll feel even more emotional.
Happy New Year to you, Nancy. Hope 2009 is a wonderful year, full of blessings for you.
Auld Lang Syne -
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old times since ?
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 us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
Happy New Year, Nancy. I wish you many blessings in 2009. I found an English translation of Auld Lang Syne that helps me realize better why I feel so emotional singing it. Thanks for bringing this up, I have often wondered what the words mean and don't believe I ever checked them out.
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old times since ?
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 us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
Nancy, I enjoyed your auld lang syne and I too sing it each new years eve. I'm one of those old fashioned people who still send hand written Christmas cards, including a note with it to old friends. It just kills me when I get a card and the only thing the sender has written is their name. I want more. I read that your return address should be hand written and you shouldn't use a printed return address label or it looks impersonal. Heaven forbid I look impersonal to old friends so I hand wrote our return address on every envelope. I'm a real stickler for doing things properly but fear I'm one of a dying breed.
Happy New Year and may your new year be filled with laughter and joy.
Sam
Nancy,
I wish you a Happy New Year! I enjoy reading your post very much. Great article on Auld Lang Syne.
Brenda Kay Ledford
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