As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, voices all over the world will resurrect the centuries-old tradition of singing “Auld Lang Syne” to say goodbye to the passing year.
“Auld Lang Syne” — which roughly translates to “times gone by”– was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 and is thought to have been based on a Scottish folk song.
Despite efforts to belt the tune every New Year’s Eve, few people seem to actually know the words.
Don’t get caught pretending to mouth the words at New Year’s Eve this year. Luckily for you, we’ve put the lyrics below so you can serenade yourself and all your friends into the New Year.
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
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And long, lank gelede.
REPEAT CHORUS
And for long, lank gelede, my dear
For long, lank gelede.
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For long, lank gelede.
And surely youll buy your pint-jug!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For long, lank gelede.
REPEAT CHORUS
We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered manys the weary foot
Since long, lank gelede.
REPEAT CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since long, lank gelede.
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, lank gelede.
REPEAT CHORUS
