Auld lang syne

[swift]

Ok, I have always wondered. What is the translation of this song? Anybody know the history of it?


Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

 

[ricoba]

Long long ago, old time since, days gone by...."We'll take a cup o' kindness for the old days gone by".....

From Wikipedia:

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song (Roud # 6294). It is well known in many English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.

The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago"[1] or "days gone by". The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686-1757), and James Watson (1711) as well as older folk songs predating Burns.[2] In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "In the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "Once upon a time." In Scots syne is pronounced like the English word sign.

 

[David]

A poem by Robert Burns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne

 

[AwayWeGo]

Modern Translation. (Sort Of.)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, = Should we drop all old business ?
And never brought to mind? = And totally forget about it ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, = Should we let bygones be bygones ?
And auld lang syne? = For old times' sake ?

For auld lang syne, my dear, = I mean, the past is so over, babe.
For auld lang syne, = And, like, it's done & gone.
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, = So let's all just make up & start over fresh.
For auld lang syne! = For old times' sake.​

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[wackymother]

Alan's translation is pretty close, but would you believe I actually studied this poem in college? (English majors, what are you gonna do?)

There are actually a couple of levels of meaning here--both Alan's version, which is, "Let's let bygones be bygones and raise a cup together," and "As we grow older and our lives change and we drift apart, let's think of our old friends at this moment and remember how much we love them. Let's drink to them and the old days and to even better days to come!" That's why it's traditional for New Year's--it's about both looking back, and looking forward. And drinking, of course.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Full Disclosure.

Alan's translation is pretty close, but would you believe I actually studied this poem in college? (English majors, what are you gonna do?)

That's why it's traditional for New Year's--it's about both looking back, and looking forward. And drinking, of course.

Actually, I am a recovering English major myself. I don't remember whether I studied that poem in college. I think I was supposed to (i.e., it must have been assigned). Don't know whether I actually, er . . . ah, um, uh, you know -- like, studied it. (Too much drinking, no doubt -- back then, I mean, not now.) So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[wackymother]

Actually, I am a recovering English major myself. I don't remember whether I studied that poem in college. I think I was supposed to (i.e., it must have been assigned). Don't know whether I actually, er . . . ah, um, uh, you know -- like, studied it. (Too much drinking, no doubt -- back then, I mean, not now.) So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

Well, Alan, this is the time for looking back. And looking forward. And drinking! :whoopie: