"Auld Lang Syne" is attributed to Robert Burns (1759-1796), although there is proof that the composition was "inspired" by several old Scotchish poems and ballads. In spite of the popularity of "Auld Lang Syne", it has aptly been described as "the song that nobody knows" (even in Scotland, hardly a gathering sings it correctly).
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, / And never brought to min'? / Should auld acquaintance be forgot, / And days o' lang syne? / We twa hae rin about the braes, / And pu'd the gowans fine; / But we've wander'd monie a weary fit / Sin' auld lang syne. / We twa hae paidl't 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 fiere, / And gie's a hand o' thine; / And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught / 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! / For auld lang syne, my dear, / For auld lang syne, / We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet / For auld lang syne."
In plain English, this should read: "Should old friends be forgotten / and never remembered / Should old friends be forgotten / and the days they shared together / For days now in the past, my dear / For days now in the past / We'll drink a toast of kind remembrance / For days now in the past / You can pay for your pint tankard / and I will pay for mine / We'll drink a toast of kind remembrance / For days now in the past / We two have run about the hillsides / and pulled wild daisies / but now we are far apart in distance / From those days now in the past / We two have paddled in the stream / from morning untill noon / but oceans now lie between us / since those days now in the past / So take my hand, my trusty friend / and give me your hand / and we will take a hearty drink together / In memory of those days now in the past"
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