Well here it is, written in Scottish by the great bard himself Robbie Burns. I thought I had remembered correctly, but sometimes I forget things I learned at school, its been a while now. As I come from Greenock though, its kind of mandatory to learn a little Burns and it seems to have stuck.
Auld lang syne, directly translated means 'old long time' - or a more accurate translation, in most circumstances is 'for old times sake', but even thats not quite spot on, as you can tell from the context.
-ewan (ewanm@landyacht.csd.sgi.com)
Auld Lang Syne - by Robert Burns 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, etc. We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt, Sin' auld lang syne. For auld, etc., 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, etc. And theres a hand my trusty fiere! And gies a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught, For auld lang syne. For auld, etc.