Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns · 1788 (published 1796)

Catalog grade guidance: 3–12 — Short song; sing it.

29 content lines · 163 words · Est. recitation about 1 min 38 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: Project Gutenberg #1279: Poems and Songs of Robert Burns (chronological arrangement).Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

Auld Lang Syne

     Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
     And never brought to mind?
     Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
     And auld lang syne!

     Chorus.—For auld lang syne, my dear,
     For auld lang syne.
     We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
     For auld lang syne.

     And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!
     And surely I’ll be mine!
     And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,
     For auld lang syne.
     For auld, &c.

     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.
     For auld, &c.

     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.
     For auld, &c.

     And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
     And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
     And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
     For auld lang syne.
     For auld, &c.