Auld Lang Syne is part of all Scottish New Year Celebrations

We thought we would let you have the words to Auld Lang Syne (Old Times Sake) as it is very much part of all Scottish New Year Celebrations. Auld Lang Syne was of course written by Scotland's World Famous Bard Rabbie (Robert) Burns.

Auld Lang Syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And 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!

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

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

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.

If you are to translate this from Old Scots to modern English it is:-

Should old friends be forgotten,
And never remembered?
Should old friends be forgotten,
And days gone by

Chorus:
For days gone by, my dear,
For days gone by,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For days gone by.

And there's a hand, my trusty friend,
And give me a hand of yours,
And we'll take a very hearty drink,
For days gone by!

The traditional is to join hands in a circle during the first verse, then to cross your hands in front of you and join hands again for the last verse; this brings everyone in the circle closer together, which just reinforces the sentiments of the song.

If you don't know all the words, you will not be the only one. Many people will sing something like, 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot, l........, …… , for auld lang syne!' The important thing is showing willing and being with friends.

Happy New Year from Bonnie Scotland