Sing old long since

Some songs are so classic everyone likes to lay claim. "Auld Lang Syne" is an American tradition. It's also French, not only for the new year, but for any big goodbye. It's also an old folk song to the Thai and Chinese. The list goes on.

Aye, me bum's oot da windae (I'm talking rubbish). "Auld Lang Syne" is a gift from the Lowland Scots and writer Robert Burns, who spent his last years of life formalizing the folk tradition in farewell. The words we well know, and sung in 40 languages from Times Square to Tokyo, were originally sung to a different, softer tune.

The song of remembrance focuses on good times, on human kindness and fond feelings, on neighborly love and fraternity. It means "old long since," or "for old time's sake;" on that much there is consensus. How much Burns can be credited with the song is a subject of controversy two centuries later. Burns, the "ploughman's poet," loved to travel the countryside and connect with villagers, whose oral traditions varied. Burns loved to mince, combine, and reform them.

Such is art, reborn from bits and pieces both observed and imagined. The song has scores of identifiable sources verbal and musical, including works by Scots poets Allan Ramsay, Robert Ayton and James Watson. Whatever his inspirations and credits, Burns wrote to a friend that this song "thrilled thro' (his) soul:"

"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 (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 (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 (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 (chorus).

Long, Long Ago. Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, And long, long ago (chorus).

And for long, long ago, my dear. For long, long ago,

We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for long, long ago

And surely you'll buy your pint-jug! And surely I'll buy mine!

And we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for long, long ago (chorus).

We two have run about the hills, and pulled the daisies fine;

But we've wandered many's the weary foot, since long, long ago (chorus).

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared, since long, long ago (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, long ago (chorus)."

As Burns might so humbly say, that's pure dead brilliant. In case you wondered, "sin" means "that." Next time, Scots' colorful contributions to English expression.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network with a voice like a howlin' bairn. Contact her at [email protected].