SP1024
Auld lang syne
Music: Trad. arr. Sheena Phillips, Words: Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Voicing: SATB
Performance time approx: 4m 00s
Range S: c' – d'' (descant f'') / A: a – b'♭ / T: c – f' / B: F – c'
Price code: B
Complexity:
The well known first verse and refrain of this song are usually sung in a loud drunken state on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). This arrangement of the full song offers something different — a rather poignant tribute to enduring friendship — and can be sung at any time of year. Arranged mostly in 4 part harmony, the tune is passed around different voices, and the piece builds to a strong finish with descant.
Although the words are usually attributed to Robert Burns, he himself claimed that he had taken the words down from the singing of an old man. Burns’ own tune, though still known in Scotland, is less familiar than this now traditional one, chosen by Burns’ publisher from an 18th century Scottish collection.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
auld — old
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne? auld lang syne — long ago
For auld lang syne, my jo,jo — 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!stowp — measure
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes,twa — two; hae — have; braes — hills
And pou'd the gowans fine;pou'd — pulled; gowans — daisies
But we've wandered mony a weary fitt,mony — many; fitt — foot
Sin auld lang syne. sin — since
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,paddled in the stream
Frae morning sun till dine;frae — from; dine — dinner-time
But seas between us braid hae roar'dbraid — broad
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!fiere — companion
And gie's a hand o' thine!gie's — give us
And we'll tak a right gude-willie-waught,cordial drink
For auld lang syne.
Robert Burns (adapted from tradition)