Happy 2007!

Here in Scotland we celebrate Hogmanay, otherwise known as the last day of the year, along with New Year's. The huuuuuuuuge street party I was supposed to attend last night was cancelled because of dangerous weather (rain and wind gusts up to 70 mph) but I joined my flatmate and his friends at one of their flats for mulled wine and mince meat pies. At midnight we all made a circle, crossed arms, held hands and sang Auld Lang Syne to ring in the new year. Did you know that Auld Lang Syne was written by a Scot? Robert Burns, affectionately known as Rabbie Burns and Scotland's national poet, wrote the poem as following:

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 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 pou’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.

CHORUS

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.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gies a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Compare that with the Anglicized version here (italics show changes):

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

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
And surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the hills,
and pulled the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine (dinner time) ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

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 auld lang syne.

CHORUS

There you have it friends, two versions of one very traditional song. I had a wonderful Hogmanay/New Year's celebration and I hope you did too! Have a wonderful 2007!