Auld Lang Syne

As 2009 draws to a close, it is customary to review the past year and make new resolutions. I couldn't help but be reminded of the song Auld Lang Syne. My favorite rendition of this song is by Rebecca Pidgeon.

The literal meaning of “Auld Lang Syne” is “Old Long Since” or “Long, Long Ago.” But because the song is in old Scot, many words are unfamiliar to me. So I looked up the meaning and some commentary:

Should old acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
and days o' lang syne?”

Commentary: These lines ask whether one can forget the days that have gone by and the friends with whom those days have been spent.

The chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Verses

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp (pint tankard)
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll take a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa (two) have run about the braes (hills),
And pou'd (pulled) the gowans (daisies) fine,
But we've wander'd monie (many) a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa (two) have paidl't (paddled) in the burn
Frae (from) morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid (broad) have roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere (friend),
And give us a hand o thine,
And we'll take a right guid-willie waught (goodwill drink),
For auld lang syne

It was amazing how the song speaks about running the braes (hills) and paddling in the burn from morning sun till dine (change paddle to pedal). How apt.

Here's a virtual right guid-willie waught (toast) to all my trusty fieres (friends)!