Comments on: ‘Auld Lang Syne’: What Does it Mean Again?

By: Scott Sarchet

Scott Sarchet — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 10:33:38 +0000

First verse poses the question, “Should we forget our old friends and times gone by?”

The chorus states “Old times? I’ll drink to that.”

Second verse translates to “We had great times when we were younger, but we’ve grown older and we’ve seen some rough roads and got some mileage on us now.”

Third verse states “When we were younger we did some awesome stuff together. Now, for whatever reasons we’ve been parted to a degree or more since then.”

Fourth verse basically is a declaration that the friendship still lasts anyway. “You take my hand I’ll take yours and we’ll drink some beer for the good ol’ days.”

At least that’s my take on it. So there ya go. Simple.

By: The_Mick

The_Mick — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 09:58:57 +0000

It’s my understanding the Bobby Burns published but claimed not to have written it himself, saying he heard an older man sing it.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 05:33:37 +0000

I’m still trying to figure out “Pompatus of Love” and “succotash wish”.

By: ElaineS

ElaineS — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 03:32:46 +0000

We in Scotland know full well what Rabbie Burns meant when speaking about Auld Lang Syne, it means for old times sake!!

By: MyTake

MyTake — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:38:29 +0000

I agree with Myrna. Shouldn’t the last line of each of the lyrics be “DAYS of auld lang syne”? Thta’s how I also remember the song and words don’t match the melody otherwise. As to the discussion in “When Harry Met Sally”, the song begins with a wistful and rhetorical question about forgetting acquaintances, not makes a dismissive statement that we should.

By: Stu

Stu — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 21:42:48 +0000

Remember to pronounce “Syne” as “Sign” … not with a Z.

By: Myrna

Myrna — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 21:03:11 +0000

Not so. I’m older than dirt and have some Scots-Irish heritage. I’ve sung this song all my life. First off, the last line of the first verse should be “and DAYS of auld lang syne”. Secondly, auld lang syne translates closest as “those long gone who are dear to us”.

By: Myrnama

Myrnama — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:05:32 +0000

“Times Gone By”. Stated at the top of the article…

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Yes, what do the words say?????????????????????????????

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:35:15 +0000

You still didn’t tell us what the words “auld lang syne” mean! I was on the edge of my seat reading the article, waiting for the answer. :-) Help us out! Thanks!