Old long since ne'er forgot

Some songs are so classic everyone likes to lay claim. “Auld Lang Syne” is an American tradition. Or is it French, not only for the new year, but also goodbyes? No, wait — it’s an old Chinese folk song. Make that Thai. The list just 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 composing this traditional farewell. The well-known words sung in 40 languages from Times Square to Tokyo, weren’t always to this tune. The original was much softer, its words evoking good times, human kindness, and neighborly feelings.

“Auld lang syne” means “old long since,” or for old time’s sake. On that much there is consensus. How much to credit Burns is a matter of controversy. Burns, the “ploughman’s poet,” loved to travel the countryside and connect with villagers. He wore out his poetic license mincing, combining, and reforming their oral traditions.

Such is art, reborn from bits and pieces observed and imagined. The song’s scores of identifiable sources both verbal and musical include works by Scot poets Allan Ramsay, Robert Ayton, and James Watson. Whatever his inspirations and credits, once complete Burns wrote to a friend that Auld Lang Syne “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 take 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 (that) 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. Happy new year to ye.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Ne’er ask her to sing; she’s a voice like a howlin’ bairn. Email [email protected].