Take a cup o' kindness for 'Auld Lang Syne'

Do you have big plans for tonight? A big party or quiet evening at home seem to be how most people say they are going to spend the last night of this year.

No matter what activity you choose to ring in the New Year, it will most likely include the song "Auld Lang Syne." But how many of us know the words to the song? I bet most of us just hum along and sing loudly on the chorus.

Scottish poet Robert Burns is credited with transcribing the words after hearing an old man from the Ayrshire section of Scotland sing it. Burns refined the lyrics a bit and included it in Scots Musical Museum, published in 1796.

"Auld Lang Syne" translates into "old long since" or "times gone by." The lyrics ask us if we are going to forget or remember the people and events of our past with fondness: "for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup o' kindness yet." 

The poem tells about friends who used to "run about the braes, and pou'd the gowans fine" which means to run about the hills pulling up the daisies. And reminds us to remember those far away and to always make time for a goodwill drink - "tak a right guid-willie waught."

The poem sat on bookshelves for more than 100 years until bandleader Guy Lombardo heard the song sung by Scottish immigrants in his hometown of London, Ontario. The song became one of their standards when Lombardo and his brothers formed the Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians dance band.

On New Year's Eve in 1929, they played it at a party in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here are the lyrics for those who want to sing all the words to "Auld Lang Syne."

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 dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup of 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!

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou'd the gowans fine,

But we've wander'd monie - a weary fit,

Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine,

But seas between us braid hae - roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And there'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.

Reach Gail Davis at RuhenstrothRamblings@yahoo.com