We twa[229-3] hae[229-4] run about the braes,[229-5]
And pou’d[229-6] the gowans[229-7] fine;
But we’ve wandered mony[229-8] a weary foot
Sin’[229-9] auld lang syne.
For auld, etc.
We twa hae paidl’t[229-10] i’ the burn,[229-11]
Frae[229-12] mornin’ sun till dine;[229-13]
But seas between us braid[229-14] hae roared
Sin’ auld lang syne.
For auld, etc.
And here’s a hand, my trusty frere,[230-15]
And gie’s[230-16] a hand o’ thine;
And we’ll tak a right guid[230-17] willie-waught[230-18]
For auld lang syne.
For auld, etc.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup,[230-19]
And surely I’ll be mine;
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
For auld, etc.
[228-1] Literally, Auld Lang Syne means Old Long-Since. It is difficult to bring out the meaning of the Scotch phrase by a single English word. Perhaps The Good Old Times comes as near to it as anything. The song gives so much meaning to the Scotch phrase that now every man and woman knows what Auld Lang Syne really stands for.
[229-2] That is, we will drink for the sake of old times.
[229-3] Twa means two.
[229-4] Hae is the Scotch for have.