Kate McDevitt

Auld Lang Syne

verses added 

 

Kate McDevitt

12/1/01

Auld Lang Syne Study

 

            This is Robert Burns’ most timeless work, also called ‘The Song The Nobody Knows’. We hear it every year to celebrate the ending of one year and the beginning of the next, but few people know the words. And fewer yet know that the tune it was first put to is not the tune we hear in connection with it today.

 

The history of the poem can be found on the attached page, described well on the website: http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/AuldLangSyne.5.html Though the story described of the poem’s origins is most consistent throughout all accounts (albeit not in so much detail) It is claimed that Burns made the phrase ‘auld lang syne’ both prominent and famous within the poem. He is also said to have written on his own at least the verses beginning with ‘We twa hae run about the braes’ and ‘We twa hae paidl’t in the burn’.

 

            For this assignment, I have studied the lyrics, both the original ones and ones Burns adapted and added himself. I have included the most popular, well known verses of the song in Scots, as well as a more English translation(not of my doing). And based on those, the spirit of the song, and the culture of eighteenth century Scotland, I have added several verses, and their translations as well. These verses are in italics, and are described in more detail here:

 

Added Verse 1:            There are some ye cannna compliment

            And some wha take them fine

They’re none so deserved as ye

Sin’  auld land syne!

This verse shows emotions between the two old friends, especially the opinion of  the friend possessed by the speaker. We see that though they have been apart, an honorable compliment is the least of what is deserved of the friend. There are many people the speaker has encountered, but none he can compliment so much as this man, which is the ultimate compliment, in fact. It also shows judgment on the part of the speaker, and the ability to still complement his friend as if he is so knowledgeable about the man’s actions and self even after so long. Perhaps it is the case that such honorable deeds known about in the pas, such friendship displayed in the past, are still worth everything now no matter what has happen since.

 

Added Verse 2:            I give my hospitality

And toast health to thou and thine

What I hae is shared most gracefully

For auld lang syne

There are few things in Scottish culture as valued as the ideals of honor and hospitality. This verse addresses hospitality in the context of the speaker’s honor and giving. He opens his house, perhaps, but more to the letter of the line he opens himself. He is generous in toasting health of his friend and all of his friend’s family, friends, etc. and immediately judging them to be worthy, as his friend is. He shares for old times sake, and opens himself up as well as what all he has to give. This is a true honorable notion in that if a man has nothing, he can at least give his best wishes of health.

 

Added Verse 3:            We twa hae walked along our roads

Frae dawn till end o’ time

Roads part and merge but still I ken

O’ auld lang syne!

Every man has a path, a road to walk in life. This road begins at birth and ends at death. And this verse states that these men have walked their roads. Their roads part and merge, as appropriate, but as the speaker goes down his, he is still able to remember the times of the past when they were together (or in general, remember his friend). It also hints that should one road end(one of them die), the other would continue to remember him and know of what he was and how they were together as friends. In those times, friends would come and go (especially as food and supplies diminished, and families grew and moved on) and there would be little tangibly to remember one’s friends, but memory would remain a firm tribute. The friendships formed on one’s road could be honored many, many years into the future.

 

Added Verse 4:            And should ye need a trusty fiere

My needs are those o’ thine

I wi’ share my shoulder, spill my blood

For ye and auld lang syne!

This follows the previous verse as an extension of the thought. The speaker acknowledges his debt as a friend and states that if a friend is needed, his needs are those of the friend above his own. He is willing to be there as a listener/comforter, or as a fighter to stand with or defend his friend in battle, even if it comes to death. This is a noble but relatively unsaid code of the Highlands- kinsman lay down their lives for each other without word because it is their place, their honorable duty. But for friends to be in such roles signifies a true, honored bond beyond caring, duty, trust, or love. It is understood without being said.

 

Added Verse 5:            We twa hae shared like brethren

On field, through ale and dine

I’ll share a-gain both blade and pint

For auld lang syne!

Again, the speaker states how close they were as friends, just like brothers. Along with that comes honor and duty of brothers, as well as caring. Stated here is the field, symbolic of the battle field, perhaps actual battle like that of Culloden and the risings, or perhaps a situation where they fought together, or perhaps a figurative battle that dealt with money, honor, food, etc. Also mentioned is drinking and dining. This touches again on the theme of Scottish hospitality and the traditions of drink that were always present between friends (the pub was always a very popular place) Dinner is at the end of the day, which could also represent the end of life or the end of their time together. The speaker offers to share again, both his sword in battle skill (literal or figurative) and a pint (of ale). It was traditional for friends to take turns buying rounds for those in their party (or for the whole bar, if so generous). So his sharing ale with his friend is mere tradition as well, on behalf of old times shared.

 

Added Verse 6:            Wha’re ye tae come tae me like this

Wi’ promise and honor fine?

Should all the troubles be forgot

Frae auld lang syne!

This verse took some considerable effort to write properly. The speaker asks who the man is to home to him with promise and honor foremost in attention. The man is certainly possessed of both qualities, and the speaker acknowledges this fact. He asks who the man is, as if the man came either in surprise (atypically, out of the ordinary) or as if the man came with a question that he did not need to ask. Perhaps the issues of promise and honor are mute because of their established friendship over the years already. On the other hand, we see in the third line a change in tone somewhat and an echo of the original line from the song ‘Should auld acquaintance be forgot’. Thus, this stanza should be interpreted the same way as the first stanza. Should they be forgot? The song would have us believe that they should not and never will be. But also, there is the idea of forgetting what has once happened to make room for the new. If both roads parted and then merged again, forgetting arguments and troubles of the past would make room for a stronger bond of friendship in the present. The decision is up to the reader as to what should be done… but the song can be sung in less of a question form. The speaker hopes that everything in the past be forgotten. Perhaps out of tribute, perhaps out of shame. At any rate, it is a point that requires the singer/reader to reflect on life itself, and my hopes for this verse written is that it will reiterate those thoughts and emotions.

 

Added Verse 7:            So I’ll raise a pint again tae ye

And praise ye, fiere o’ mine.

And we’ll drink on our tegetherness

Sin’ auld lang syne!

To make peace with the last verse, I wrote this one. Again, he toasts his friend with a pint of ale. And praises him for being who he is- a friend above all else. One an old acquaintance perhaps… but now a friend. This transformation can be seen throughout, as people become more than they were as emotional bonds are formed (perhaps formed in batter, or in action, or just over a drink). This old acquaintance is forgotten as he becomes a full-fledge friend (again?). They drink together of their being together as friends once more since old long ago.