Guess What ‘Auld Lang Syne’ Means

At midnight (EST) tonight when the ball drops in Time Square in New York, millions around the world will sing Auld Lang Syne.  I have heard the song countless times and had no idea what those three words even meant. They actually mean "old long ago".

Auld Lang Syne is a 18th century ballad written by Robert Burns of Scotland.  As long as it has been around it is amazing that few people, including me, even know more than the opening verse of the song. The song has to deal with the friends who are parting from each other for whatever the reason. The song was even a part of the cultural heritage of the Scottish and English people who left their homeland to immigrate to the United States

So when you belt it out New Year's Eve as the clock strikes midnight make sure you know the lyrics.  If you don't, here they are:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

for auld lang syne.

We twa hae run a boot the braes,

and pou'd the gowans fine,

we've wandered mony a weary foot,

sin' auld lang syne.

We two hae paidled i' the burn

Frae mornin sun till dine,

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And here's a hand, my trusty friend,

and gie's a hand o' thine,

we'll take a cup o' kindness yet

for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld land Syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet

for auld lang syne.

Happy New Year everyone.  May 2015 be a healthy and prosperous one!