Today's Beautiful Gem: `Auld Lang Syne' by Robert Burns

"For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
"And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine;
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
"We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wandered monie a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.
"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.
"And there's a hand, my trust fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
And we'll take a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne."

Note: The above song is traditionally sung during the New Year
celebrations. The first stanza forms the chorus. It is written in
old English. I am giving below the meanings for some obscure words.
auld lang syne = old long since (old times); twa = two;
surely ye'll be your pint-stowp = be good for your three-pint measure;
braes = hill-sides; gowans = daisies; fit = foot; paidl'd = paddled;
burn = brook; frae = from; dine = dinner-time; braid = broad;
fiere = friend; guid-willie = good-will; waught = draught.

Happy New Year!

Om Saantih! Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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