"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many English-speaking countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

The song's Scots title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago" or "days gone by".

It is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a great circle around the dance floor. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right hand reaches out to the neighbour on the left and vice versa. When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands. When the circle is re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end up facing outwards with hands still joined.

Lyrics

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

    CHORUS:
    For auld lang syne, my dear,
    for auld lang syne,
    we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
    for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

    CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

    CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

    CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

    CHORUS

Tags: Lyrics Auld Lang Syne Music Sing Burns Scotland

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You know you're from the Cotswolds when...

... your friends went to Cirencester Agricultural College

... you see Liz Hurley in Tescos

... you've seen the Beaufort Hunt

... you know that Prince Charles was the original eco-warrior

... you voted for Zara Phillips to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year

... you buy organic vegetables from the local farm

... you've fed the trout in Bibury

... you've attended the Cheltenham Gold Cup

... you subscribe to Cotswold Life magazine

... you understand the rules of Polo

... you were forced to do country dancing at primary school

... the village fête was the social highlight of the year

... you're forced to choose between the Gloucester Cheese Rolling and the Tetbury Woolsack Races on Easter Bank Holiday

... your house is made of Cotswold stone

... you have watched the sunset over the Severn Estuary from Minchinhampton Common

... you've walked part or all of the Cotswold Way

... you've been antiques shopping in Tetbury

... your friends include sons and daughters of farmers

... you've fired a shotgun

... you've played golf on Minchinhampton Common

... you've sailed or jetskiied at South Cerney

... you wish Cirencester was still the capital city of England

... you drink in the same pubs as Prince William and Prince Harry

... you've fed the deer at Prinknash

... you've been to the Cotswold Wildlife Park

... you know that Woodstock is near Blenheim Castle rather than an American rock festival

... you travel on the Fosse Way like the Romans

... you've been to Birdland at Bourton-on-the-Water

... you refer to Prince William as Wills

... you know that the source of the Thames starts in a field near Coates and near a farm in Luckington

... your MP is Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

... you (probably) vote Conserative

... you (probably) have a 'Bollocks to Blair' sticker in your car

... your idea of a perfect sunday is a morning walk in Westonbirt Arboretum

... you follow the golf and cricket as summer pastimes

... you're sick and tired of Londoners invading at the weekends

... you would petition for the Cotswolds to become a seperate country

... you were awoken during both Gulf Wars by American B52s taking off and landing at RAF Fairford

... you have posed for photographs with numerous Japanese tourists

... you feel privileged to live in the nicest part of Britain

Tags: Cotswolds

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