Words for New Year

Happy New Year to Everyone,

I hope everyone had as good a Christmas as was possible. Personally to me and I know for the majority of Scots New Year is the time to be with family and friends and to think and reminisce of absent family and friends.

I remember when I was in detox or rehab that all the emphasis was on how people would feel and react around Christmas time but none or very little thought was given to New year and how it may effect the Scots. This is understandable, I suppose as New Year is a one night of a piss up and fireworks then it is back to work on the 2nd January, (the 2nd of January is a holiday in Scotland), and back to normal.  

Below is one of my favourite Robbie Burns poems. I feel I can safely say I have heard it sang every New Year since I was born. When I hear it can bring a wee tear to my eye especially when I am not with my family or friends in fact it still can when I am with people.

For those who do not understand the words you can look them up!!
No, being the kind considerate person that I am I will add the English translation.   
I hope you sense the feeling of the words and what they convey.

 With Thanks to Robbie Burns, (1759 - 96) and to who ever translated.

McTaggert

 

 Auld Lang Syne 

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

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 take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowan fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt,
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 gude-willie-waught,
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

                    

                                                                       (English Translation)

Old Times Gone 

 

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and good old times?

For old times since, my dear,
for good old times,
we'll drink a cup of kindness yet,
for good old times.

And surely you’ll have your pint cup!
and surely I’ll have mine!
And we'll drink a cup o’ kindness yet,
for good old times.

 (Chorus)

Should old acquaintance be forgot (etc),

 

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since the good old times.

(Chorus)

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since good old times.

(Chorus)

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for good old times.