Auld Lang Syne - All the Original Lyrics

Edinburgh Hogmanay boasts the world's biggest circle of people joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne. Nobody knows for sure why this song, with words by Robert Burns and music from an old Scottish tune, is so popular for New Year's Eve around the world. But it's probably a sure bet that hardly anyone knows the words beyond the first verse and the chorus. So, in the interests of better, and longer New Year's Eve singing - and fewer la la la's, here are the words, courtesy of VisitScotland.com, the official Scottish tourist organization.

Once you've seen the words, though, we challenge you to figure out what they mean!

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![

Verses

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.