Auld Lang Syne - New Year Song - Lyrics (Robert Burns Poem)

Auld Lang Syne is a New Year’s Eve song, the lyrics are from the poem Auld Lang Syne written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. It is sung traditionally to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. The international Scouting movement, in many countries, also sing this song to close jamborees and other functions.
In Scotland new year is called Hogmanay it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a great circle around the dance floor while they sing.

Free song sheet


Here are the words of Robert Burns original poem:

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-stoup! and surely I'll be mine! And we'll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes, and pou'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, sin' auld lang syne.
CHORUS
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.
CHORUS
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! and gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught, for auld lang syne.
CHORUS


English Translation of the original verse:

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


As well as celebrating the New Year, "Auld Lang Syne" is very widely used to symbolise other "endings/new beginnings" – including farewells, funerals (and other memorials), graduations, the end of a party or a Scout gathering, the election of a new government and even as a signal that a retail store is about to close for the day. In Scotland and other parts of Britain, in particular, it is associated with celebrations and memorials of Robert Burns.

• In Scotland, it is often sung at the end of a cèilidh, a dance, and at weddings. At weddings, it is performed in the same way as at New Year, but the bride and groom are often lifted up in the centre of the circle.

• The tune is played, and sung by the crowd, in the final stages of the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

• In many Burns Clubs, it is sung at the end of the Burns supper.

• In Great Britain, it is played at the close of the annual Congress (conference) of the Trades Union Congress.

• The song is sung at the end of the Last Night of the Proms by the audience (rather than the performers) and so it is not often listed on the official programme.

• The song is played at the Passing Out Parade of Young Officers in the Royal Navy as they march up the steps of the Britannia Royal Naval College

• Since 2007, the melody has been used as an introduction to the mass chorus of "America the Beautiful" that is played by the twelve finalist corps at the Finals Retreat at the Drum Corps International World Championships.

Enjoy singing along with Auld Lang Syne in this video!