New Year celebrations this year may not be exactly as we were hoping for them to be.
However some traditions, including the London fireworks display will go ahead once more — and things are beginning to feel a bit more normal.
But we can still all follow one tradition, regardless of our plans.
Brits up and down the country can join arms and sing Auld Lang Syn, ushering in 2022 with hope.
Based on the 1788 Scottish poem by Robert Burns, the famous farewell song is sung every year on New Year’s Eve as the clock strikes 12, leaving another year behind.
Here’s a look at the lyrics of the Scottish version and an English translation for you to sing along to at midnight.
Auld Lang Syne lyrics and translation
If you'd like to sing along to Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve this year, the lyrics are as follows:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and days of auld lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak' 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 tak' a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
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.
CHORUS
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.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
Translated into English, the song goes:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and days of long ago?
CHORUS:
For days of long ago, my dear,
for days of long ago,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for days of long ago.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for days of long ago.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since days of long ago.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since days of long ago.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for days of long ago.
CHORUS
What is Auld Land Syne about?
Auld Lang Syne translates as "old long since", which basically means "days gone by" or "good old times."
The nostalgic folk song from Robert Burns, is traditionally used as a farewell in Scotland and sung at Hogmanay and Burns Night, as well as at the end of weddings, funerals and ceilidhs.
However, singing it is accepted as a New Year tradition not just in Scotland, but across Britain and around the globe too.
The song is centred around old friends reminiscing on the past and looking forward to the future. Typically, its sung on New Year's Eve to see the old year out and welcome a new one.
