Auld Lang Syne

And a wish for hope, health, and prosperity for everyone

Hi all,

Thank you for joining me for today’s song, “Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns (1788). If you’d like to hear the song before you read about it, I’ve included a YouTube video below the article.

Below, you’ll find my interpretation of the lyrics which are written in italics. For Japanese students, vocabulary words in bold are provided in Japanese below. TOEIC (PBT) 450+, Eiken 2, CEFR B1.

You can listen to each article of “Social Issues in Song” on the Substack App.

(492 words)

Robert Burns is one of the most famous poets and lyricists from Scotland. He lived in the 1700s. He supported the American and French Revolutions. He understood working people and their struggles. He often wrote poems that talked about working people’s desire for social justice. Burns criticized the British monarchy. He also said that a few people in the government were using their power to get special favors or money for themselves, instead of thinking about what was best for everyone. His writing included radical ideas about equality, liberty, and the rights of women.

Auld Lang Syne was traditionally part of the Scottish celebration of Hogmanay, celebrated on December 31^st. The holiday has roots in ancient winter solstice festivals, celebrating the end of the old year and welcoming the new one. At the stroke of midnight, people link arms and sing the song because it is a symbol friendship and the passage of time.

It is thought that Burns based his poem on a traditional Scottish folk song in 1788. The original lyrics were written in Scots. Here are two verses:

We twa hae run about the braes, And pu’t the gowans fine
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot, Sin auld lang syne

.
We twa hae paidlet i’ the burn, Frae mornin’ sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roar’d, Sin auld lang syne

The old lyrics are quite difficult to understand, but below is a version of the song written in modern English.

Should we forget old friends?
Should we never think of them again?
Should we forget old friends
And days of long ago?
.
For old times’ sake, my friend
For old times’ sake
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For days of long ago

“For old times’ sake” means doing something as a way to remember or relive the good memories from the past. It has a sense of nostalgia for experiences you’ve shared with close friends.

You and I have run around the hills
And picked the pretty daisies
But we’ve travelled a long, long way
Since those days long ago
.

The next verse gives us the feeling that the two friends grew up together, playing in a river as children do.
We have paddled in the stream
From morning until dinner time
But the oceans have separated us
Since those days long ago
(Meaning there may be a great distance between us, but old friends always feel close.)

You’ll buy a cup
And I’ll buy a cup
Let’s have a drink together
For old times’ sake
.
And here’s my hand, my trusted friend
Give me your hand
Let’s have a good drink
For old times’ sake
For old times’ sake, my friend ...

Robert Burns was a poet who was deeply committed to social justice and equality. His writings continue to inspire people who are working for a more equal and fair society.

May the new year bring hope, health, and prosperity to everyone.

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Question

What is your wish for the new year?

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Vocabulary

lyricist 作詞家
revolution 革命
struggle 闘争
criticize 批判
monarchy 君主制
radical 過激派
solstice 冬至
at the stroke of midnight 真夜中の鐘が鳴る時
paddle 漕ぐ
be committed to doing 凝る,努める
social justice 社会正義

(This version does not have lyrics, but it is sung in the beautiful country of Scotland.)

Sources

Original lyrics found at: https://www.themorgan.org/sites/default/files/images/exhibitions/AuldLangSyne.pdf

Daniels, M. (2016, April 8). Yet another 10 radical christmas songs. Counterfire. https://www.counterfire.org/article/yet-another-10-radical-christmas-songs/ Accessed 30 November 2024.

McKinnon, C.. (2018, January 9). The radical Robert Burns • International socialism. International Socialism. Issue 157. http://isj.org.uk/the-radical-robert-burns/ Accessed 30 November 2024.

Reclaiming Robert Burns. (1970, December 2). Socialism Today. Issue 234. https://socialismtoday.org/reclaiming-robert-burns Accessed 30 November 2024.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, November 28). Robert Burns. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns# Accessed 30 November 2024.

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I believe that education should be free.

All of the articles about the songs will remain free for students to use. (We are all students, are we not?) However, if you find these articles useful and are in a position to make a small (or large) donation, I would be deeply grateful. buymeacoffee.com/socialissuesinsong