“Auld Lang Syne”

Is it just me, or is anyone else completely clueless about what this song means? I’ve heard it sung a thousand times, actually as I type this second sentence it is playing on the TV in the background! Until a few minutes ago, I had no idea what the words to the song were (I knew a few of them), or what the words were actually saying.

There’s all sorts of history to the song that you can find on Wikipedia. The title of the song translates to something like “The good old days”, but I still can’t figure out what the line “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind” means!

Here are the lyrics, just in case you find yourself in a place tonight where they’re singing this song 🙂

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

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we’ll take a cup of 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 slopes,
and picked 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^† ;
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.