It was written by Robert Burns (from an earlier poem) in about 1780s. The Scots when they emigrated took the song to the far corners of the earth. It is sung (with varying amounts of original Lallans words) throughout the world. 'For auld lang syne' is accepted as meaning 'For old times, long gone'.
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 stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne etc.
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.
For auld, &c.
Wet wa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin
' auld lang syne.
For auld, etc
And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand 'hine!
And we'll tak a richt gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
For auld, etc
This song has been part of my life since I was a very young girl. My Dad was a real Burns fan, and so am I.