The Meaning of Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns (with translation)

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Auld Lang Syne is a traditional poem/song by one on Scotland’s most famous historic writers, Robert Burns. It’s sung after “the Bells” on New Years day (i.e. as “Hogmanay” closes at midnight and the new year begins) as a celebration of friendship.

To start with, here’s the original.

The song is asking whether old friendships should be forgotten, and the answer is no. The lyrics are reminiscing about old times with friends and the good memories shared, and wishing to continue these friendships in the future. The chorus repeats the phrase "For auld lang syne", which means "For the sake of old times". The last verse of the song is inviting someone to take a drink together to remember old times and to continue the good memories.

Auld Lang Syne

Verse 1:

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.

Verse 2:

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.

Verse 3:

We two have run about the slopes, And picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot, Sin auld lang syne.

Verse 4:

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared Sin auld lang syne.

Verse 5:

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught, For auld lang syne.

Now here is a translation of all the Scottish words in the lyrics of "Auld Lang Syne" into English:

  • "Auld" - Old

  • "Lang syne" - Long ago

  • "Acquaintance" - Friendships

  • "Forgot" - Forgotten

  • "Brought" - Brought

  • "Mind" - Mind

  • "Tak" - Take

  • "Cup" - Cup

  • "Kindness" - Kindness

  • "Pint-stoup" - Pint glass

  • "Run" - Run

  • "About" - About

  • "Slopes" - Hills

  • "Picked" - Picked

  • "Daisies" - Daisies

  • "Wandered" - Wandered

  • "Weary" - Tired

  • "Foot" - Foot

  • "Sin" - Since

  • "Paddled" - Paddled

  • "Stream" - Stream

  • "Morning sun" - Morning sun

  • "Dine" - Dinner

  • "Seas" - Seas

  • "Between us" - Between us

  • "Braid" - Wide

  • "Hae" - Have

  • "Roared" - Roared

  • "Hand" - Hand

  • "Trusty" - Trustworthy

  • "Fiere" - Comrade

  • "Gie's" - Give me

  • "Thine" - Your

  • "Right gude-willy waught" - A good drink

Finally, a rewrite of Auld Lang Syne with the Scots translated into English:

Verse 1:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten And old times gone!

Chorus:

For old times' sake, my dear, For old times' sake,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For old times' sake.

Verse 2:

And surely you'll be your pint glass! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet, For old times' sake.

Verse 3:

We two have run about the hills And picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot, Since old times gone.

Verse 4:

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us wide have roared Since old times gone.

Verse 5:

And there's a hand, my trusty comrade! And give me a hand of yours!
And we'll take a right good-drink together, For old times' sake.