Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Auld Lang Syne 2

Robert Burns

“Auld Lang Syne 2” as printed in The Book of Scottish Song (1843).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 9 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,

And never brought to min'?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa ha'e run about the braes,

And pu'd the gowans fine;

But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,

Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa ha'e paid'lt in the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine;

But seas between us braid ha'e roar'd,

Sin' auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty frien',

And gi'e's a haud o' thine;

And we'll tak' a richt gude-willie waught,

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup,

And surely I'll be mine;

And we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns (died 1796). 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 2”

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). The credited author died in 1796.

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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