vovat | Second-Degree Burns

I'm thinking of making a closer look at songs a recurring feature here at Stratovania. And what better song to examine today than "Auld Lang Syne"? This holiday favorite is generally attributed to Robert Burns, who is regarded by many as Scotland's greatest poet (which I suppose means he's basically the polar opposite of William McGonagall). He was basically a rock star for his time, right down to the promiscuity.

Burns himself referred to "Auld Lang Syne" as an "old song," and there indeed already existed a ballad by James Watson with similar lyrics. As with many folk songs, there presumably were many variations on the words, but it's Burns's version that is now standard. Not that that matters all that much, since people rarely sing beyond the first verse and chorus nowadays. So here are all of Burns's lyrics to the song, direct from Wikipedia (which means they must be accurate, right? {g}):

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 jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ 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.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

So what does all that Scottish dialect mean? Well, the second verse is about sharing a drink, and the next two are about the good times (including picking daisies, or "gowans") and struggles of days gone by. Then, with the final verse, we're back to drinking with a "gude-willy waught," which means a good-will draught. When we saw They Might Be Giants for New Year's a few years ago, they printed out the entire set of lyrics for the song, and had us all sing along. I believe they're playing a New Year's show in Massachusetts tonight, so if anyone reading this attends, let me know how much of "Auld Lang Syne" they sing, as well as whether John Linnell mentions leap seconds again.

The tune to which we sing this classic was originally that of another folk song, and there's some doubt as to whether it's the one Burns used. Nonetheless, it has tradition behind it, with the song having been a favorite for years at Hogmanay (which, contrary to how the name might sound, is the Scottish name for New Year's Eve, not a pig-judging competition). The Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the song in North America, and it's his recording that they play at Times Square.

Incidentally, Robert Burns has his own holiday, Burns Night, which is celebrated on his birthday, 25 January. I'll try to remember to acknowledge it in the coming year, but I doubt I'll celebrate in the traditional manner. I mean, that involves haggis.