Allan Ramsay: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Auld Lang Syne 1

Allan Ramsay

“Auld Lang Syne 1” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Allan Ramsay: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1843 · historical text
Public domainScottish songFolk
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Book of Scottish Song, edited by Alexander Whitelaw, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Though they return with scars?

These are the noble hero's lot,

Obtain'd in glorious wars:

Welcome, my Varo, to my breast,

Thy arms about me twine,

And make me once again as blest,

As I was lang syne.

Methinks around us on each bough,

A thousand Cupids play,

Whilst through the groves I walk with you,

Each object makes me gay.

Since your return the sun and moon

With brighter beams do shine,

Streams murmur soft notes while they run,

As they did lang syne.

Despise the court and din of state;

Let that to their share fall,

Who can esteem such slavery great,

While bounded like a ball:

But sunk in love, upon my arms

Let your brave head recline,

We'll please ourselves with mutual charms,

As we did lang syne.

O'er moor and dale, with your gay friend,

You may pursue the chace,

And, after a blythe bottle, end

All cares in my embrace:

And in a vacant rainy day

You shall be wholly mine;

We'll make the hours run smooth away,

And laugh at lang syne.

The hero, pleased with the sweet air,

And signs of generous love,

Which had been utter'd by the fair,

Bow'd to the powers above:

Next day, with consent and glad haste,

They approach'd the sacred shrine;

Where the good priest the couple blest.

And put them out of pine.

Credits

Written by Allan Ramsay

Words by Allan Ramsay. Historical text published in The Book of Scottish Song (1843); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Book of Scottish Song (1843), edited by Alexander Whitelaw, “Auld Lang Syne 1”

Every contribution in this 1843 anthology predates modern copyright terms by more than a century; any contributor died at least 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide (life+70 terms expired no later than 2020).

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-12. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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