Robert Burns (1759–96)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

   And never brought to min’?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

   And days o’ lang syne?

We twa hae rin about the braes,

   And pu’d the gowans fine;¹

But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit²

   Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’t i’ the burn,

   Frae mornin’ sun till dine;³

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

   Sin’ auld lang syne.

And here ’s a hand, my trusty fiere,⁴

   And gie’s a hand o’ thine;

And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught⁵

   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!

      For auld lang syne, my dear,

         For auld lang syne,

      We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet

         For auld lang syne.