AULD LANG SYNE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2332, 22 September 1921, Page 1

AULD LANG SYNE

THE ORIGINAL VERSION,

A correspondent signing himself “AV.B.” writes to the Otago Daily Times as follows: —

A full copy of “Auld Lang Syne/' not from the edition of any publisher, but from the poet’s manuscript, may be of interest. In an article in the “Scotsman,” 23 years ago, W. S. Crockett says: “Here, then, is “Auld Lang Syne,” as copied from the poet’s own manuscript, with none of the modern interpolations, tinkerings, and so-called improvements” :

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 jo, For auld lang syne, We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint stoup, And surely I’ll be mine;. And we’ll Ink’ a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang sync. For auld, etc.

We twa line run abolt the braes, And pou’d the gowans fine; But we’ve wandered mony a weary fit, Sin’ auld lang syne. For auld, etc.

AYe 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 there’s a hand, my trusty here! And gie’s a hand o’ thine! And we’ll tak’ a right guide YYilliewaught, For auld lang syne.

It will be seen that Burns did not write the last line as “The days, o’ auld lang syne.” That is a modern addition which does not harmonise with the tune, and at the same time is wholly unnecessary. Nor did he write “Mv dear,” instead of “my .jo,” or “Gie’s a hand” for “hand,” or “Wallie-waught” for “AVilliewaught.” The manuscript of “Auld Lang Syne” was on view at the great collection of Burns relics at the exhibition in Glasgow in 189(5, the centenary of the poet’s death. To many it would be the most interesting thing there. It was not printed till some live months after his death. When he wrote the simple words he could not have thought that they would go round the world like an electric band and live for ever. Mr Will 11. Ogilvie, a Border poet, who spent some years in Australia, when writing of the songs, says: —

AYe have heard the ringing chorus shake the iron on the roofs, While outside the bridles .jingled to the stamp of restless hoofs; AYe have sited —how many comrades? —from the homestead and the hall, Watched them fading in the Unknown Itt the grandest march of all; While some hearts were beating proudly 'to the lilt of every line, And some others, nearly breaking for the sake of “Auld Lang Syne.”

\\'e have sung it in our exile till the heart-leap and the croon Brought us back the brown hills’ whisper and the nodding- bluebells tune. But so long as earth hath music, ana so long as red stars shine, We shall gather and go outward to • tho tune of “Auld Lang Svne.”