Auld Lang Syne Lyrics – Original Scots & English Translation

Every New Year’s Eve, millions of people around the world join hands and sing a song whose words are familiar yet often misunderstood. “Auld Lang Syne” is a global anthem of remembrance and friendship, but its original lyrics are written in a language that most speakers of modern English do not fully understand. This article provides the complete lyrics in both the original Scots and English, explains the true meaning of the phrase, traces the song’s history back to Robert Burns, and offers practical information for those who want to sing or play it.

What Are the Full Lyrics to Auld Lang Syne? (Original Scottish + English Version)

The most common version of the song, sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve, is a shortened adaptation of the original Scots poem. Below is the complete text as written by Robert Burns in 1788, alongside a direct English translation. The version most people know today typically includes only the first verse (the chorus) and three or four of the following stanzas.

Key Insights:

• The title “Auld Lang Syne” is a phrase in the Scots language meaning “old long since” or “days gone by.”
• The song asks whether old friends should be forgotten, then answers “no” — celebrating memories and looking to the future.
• Robert Burns wrote down the lyrics in 1788, but the tune and some verses date back to traditional Scottish folk songs.
• Several modern artists (Rod Stewart, Dan Fogelberg) have recorded popular versions with slightly adapted lyrics.
• The song is universally recognized for its New Year’s Eve association, partly popularized by Guy Lombardo in the 20th century.

Original Scots Lyrics

Verse 1 (Chorus):
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Verse 2:
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.

Verse 3:
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.

Verse 4:
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.

Verse 5:
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.

English Translation

Verse 1 (Chorus):
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And old times gone!

For old times’ sake, my dear,
For old times’ sake,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For old times’ sake.

Verse 2:
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For old times’ sake.

Verse 3:
We two have run about the slopes
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot
Since old times’ sake.

Verse 4:
We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till dinnertime;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old times’ sake.

Verse 5:
And there’s a hand, my trusty friend!
And give’s a hand of thine!
And we’ll take a right good willing draught
For old times’ sake.

Rod Stewart Version

Rod Stewart recorded a popular version on his 1999 album “Auld Lang Syne.” His lyrics largely follow the common modern adaptation, using “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet” and omitting some of the lesser-known verses. Stewart’s rendition gave the song new mainstream life and is one of the most commercially popular modern recordings.

Dan Fogelberg Version

Dan Fogelberg’s 1981 song “Same Old Lang Syne” on the album “The Innocent Age” is a folk-pop interpretation. It is a separate song inspired by the tune and theme, not a direct cover of Burns’ poem. Its narrative of an unexpected encounter between old lovers at a grocery store gives a contemporary twist to the idea of remembering old times.

What Does Auld Lang Syne Mean in English? (Translation & Meaning)

The phrase “Auld Lang Syne” literally translates to “Old Long Since” in standard English. More colloquially, it is understood as “for old times’ sake” or “since long ago.” The phrase encompasses concepts of “days gone by,” “times long past,” and “old times.”

According to Professor Murray Pittock from the Centre for Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow, the phrase carries profound significance beyond literal translation. He notes that in Scots, it refers to “a shared past underpinning the current relationships of a family, community or professional/social association,” making it more evocative, nostalgic and communally unifying than any simple English equivalent.

Despite being universally associated with New Year’s celebrations, the original song contains no specific reference to the new year itself. Instead, it focuses on cherishing old friendships, reflecting on shared adventures and memories, the passage of time and physical separation from friends, and togetherness through the ritual of sharing a drink.

Vocabulary Translation Guide

Who Wrote Auld Lang Syne and Why Is It So Famous?

Robert Burns wrote down the poem “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788. He sent a copy to the Scots Musical Museum that year, explaining that it was “an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.” Burns did not claim to be the sole author; rather, he collected and “mended” (substantially rewrote) old Scottish songs to preserve Scottish language and culture during the Act of Union between Scotland and England.

The earliest known related work is “Auld Kyndness Forgot,” preserved in a manuscript from 1568. The phrase “Auld Lang Syne” also appears in poems and songs by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686–1757), and James Watson (1711), among others.

The poem did not appear in print until shortly after Burns’ death in 1796. It was first published in volume five of James Johnson’s Scots Musical Museum.

The song became a New Year’s tradition in the 20th century, notably after bandleader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians performed it on a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1929. The song’s theme of saying goodbye to the old year and remembering friends fits the moment perfectly, even though the original poem contains no direct mention of the new year.

What Are the Easy Chords for Auld Lang Syne? (Guitar & Piano)

For guitar players looking for a simple arrangement, the song is commonly played in G major or D major for ease on guitar and piano. The chord progression is straightforward and repetitive, making it a good choice for beginners.

Basic Guitar Chords (Key of G):

• G, C, D7, G (for the chorus and verses)

Basic Piano Chords (Key of C):

• C, F, G7, C (transposed for ease on piano)

Players looking for more detailed chord diagrams can find numerous online resources. The song’s pentatonic melody is very forgiving, allowing for simple open chord strumming.

Timeline: Key Milestones in the History of Auld Lang Syne

1. 1568: The earliest known related work, “Auld Kyndness Forgot,” is preserved in a manuscript.
2. 1788: Robert Burns sends the poem “Auld Lang Syne” to the Scots Musical Museum.
3. 1796: Burns dies; the poem is published posthumously in volume five of the Scots Musical Museum.
4. 1799: The current standard pentatonic melody is first documented in George Thomson’s Select Songs of Scotland.
5. 1929: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians perform the song on a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast, popularizing the tradition.
6. 1981: Dan Fogelberg releases “Same Old Lang Syne,” a folk-pop interpretation inspired by the original.
7. 1999: Rod Stewart records a version on his album “Auld Lang Syne,” giving the song new mainstream popularity.
8. 2024/25: The song continues to be performed at Hogmanay and New Year celebrations worldwide.

Established Facts vs. Remaining Uncertainties

Why Does the Song Resonate So Deeply Across Generations?

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal themes of friendship and nostalgic reflection. It asks whether old friends should be forgotten, then answers “no” — celebrating shared memories while acknowledging the passage of time. This emotional core fits perfectly with the act of “turning the page” to a new year, even though the poem itself contains no explicit reference to the new year.

In a modern context, many searches for “Rod Stewart Auld Lang Syne lyrics” indicate a desire for a specific pop-culture version, not the original Scots. Similarly, searches for “auld lang syne chords” (590 monthly searches) relative to “auld lang syne lyrics” (5,400 monthly searches) suggest that most users want the words, not the music. This points to the song’s primary role as a shared cultural text for public singing.

What Do the Sources Say About the Song’s Origins?

“‘Auld Lang Syne’ can be literally translated as ‘Old Long Since,’ but the literal English does not give a sense of what it means to a user of Scots, where it refers to a shared past underpinning the current relationships of a family, community or professional/social association. As such, it is more evocative, nostalgic and communally unifying than any simple English equivalent.”

Professor Murray Pittock, Centre for Robert Burns Studies, University of Glasgow

“The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.”

Robert Burns, in a letter to the Scots Musical Museum, 1788

“Auld Lang Syne translates literally to ‘old long since’ or ‘old times’.”

ClassicFM, “Lyrics & Origins”

Summary: What You Need to Know About Auld Lang Syne Lyrics

“Auld Lang Syne” is a Scots-language poem written down by Robert Burns in 1788, drawn from older folk traditions. The title means “old long since” or “for old times’ sake.” The song is about remembering old friends and shared experiences, and it became a New Year’s Eve tradition in the 20th century, popularized by bandleader Guy Lombardo. The most common modern version omits some original verses, and several artists—including Rod Stewart and Dan Fogelberg—have recorded well-known interpretations. For those looking to play it, simple guitar chords in G major or piano chords in C major are widely used. For more on classic British cultural traditions, see Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe – Classic British Dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions

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