And the real Auld Lang Syne

In contrast to the previous post, here's the real thing. :)

The Wikipedia entry on Robert Burns' poem is particularly good, because it shows, side by side (or "right dere side by each" as dey say in M'waukee, hey?), Burns' original verse, along with the pronunciation as it would sound if a Scot were reading it aloud. Plus, it has the IPA pronunciation guide (for all of you linguistics majors out there who know about such things), and then a translation into modern English (um, what are braes and gowans again?) Except I'll have to edit the Wiki entry. I think they're missing it when they try to find an idiomatic translation of "auld lang syne" itself. We'll see if they take mine. ;)

And.. if you want to hear it read by someone who really knows how.. check out on iTunes a recording of it by Tom Fleming from his album "The Robert Burns Collection: The Words." It's worth a buck to hear it read properly. :)

So .. lift one for me tonight! As I will for you.. for old time's sake.



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 o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

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.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gies a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.