Burns night

By Sarah-Jane Hollands, Poetry Editor.

.

Tonight is Burns' Night, in honour of the Scottish poet Rabbie Burns. So for our many readers, Scottish or otherwise, we re-print here one of his most famous pieces.

.

Be honest - did you know ALL the words? Or their meanings? And as undoubtedly, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) is the time when world wide, Burns' work is recited, perhaps 31st December should be Burns' Night.

.

AULD LANG SYNE

Words adapted from a traditional song by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)

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!

.
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.

.
Meanings
auld lang syne - times gone by

be - pay

forbraes - hills

braid - broad

burn - stream

dine - dinner time

fiere - friend

fit - foot

gowans - daisies

guid-willie waught - goodwill drink

monie - many

morning sun - noon

paidl't - paddled

pint-stowp - pint tankard

pou'd - pulled

twa - two