Robert Burns 1788
Singing more than the first verse and chorus may be inadvisable in most contexts. The final three verses here are from The Sacred Harp in Plenary 162, written by Isaac Watts in 1709, set to this tune called there “Plenary” by A.C. Clark in 1839. Auld Lang Syne started being sung to its familiar tune in 1799.
Tim Eriksen: https://timeriksen.bandcamp.com/track/song-of-the-old-folks-auld-lang-syne (my favorite New Years Eve tradition every year is to listen to this such that the exciting part happens at the stroke of midnight)
https://timeriksen.bandcamp.com/track/song-of-the-old-folks-auld-lang-syne
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 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. 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. 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. And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere! and gie’s a hand o’ thine! And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie waught, for auld lang syne. Hark! from the tombs of doleful sound, Mine ears, attend the cry, Ye living men, come view the ground, Where you must shortly lie. “Princes, this clay must be your bed, In spite of all your tow’rs; The tall, the wise, the rev’rend head, Must lie as low as ours.” Great God! Is this our certain doom? And are we still secure? Still walking downward to the tomb, And yet prepared no more!