Journeys Through Bookland Volume Vi Part 26

[226-1] Capitals and punctuation as written by Payne.

AULD LANG SYNE[228-1]

_By_ ROBERT BURNS

NOTE.--The song as we know it is not the first song to bear that t.i.tle, nor is it entirely original with Robert Burns. It is said that the second and third stanzas were written by him, but that the others were merely revised. In a letter to a friend, written in 1793, Burns says, "The air (of _Auld Lang Syne_) is but mediocre; but the following song, the old song of the olden time, which has never been in print, nor even in ma.n.u.script, until I took it down from an old man's singing, is enough to recommend any air." This refers to the song as we know it, but the friend, a Mr. Thompson, set the words to an old Lowland air which is the one every one now uses.

At an earlier date Burns wrote to another friend: "Is not the Scottish phrase, _auld lang syne_, exceedingly expressive? There is an old song and tune that has often thrilled through my soul.

Light be the turf on the breast of the heaven-inspired poet who composed this glorious fragment."

We cannot be certain that this refers to the exact wording he subsequently set down, for there were at least three versions known at that time.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min'?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' lang syne?

_For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,[229-2]

For auld lang syne._

We twa[229-3] hae[229-4] run about the braes,[229-5]

And pou'd[229-6] the gowans[229-7] fine; But we've wandered mony[229-8] a weary foot Sin'[229-9] auld lang syne.

_For auld_, etc.

We twa hae paidl't[229-10] i' the burn,[229-11]

Frae[229-12] mornin' sun till dine;[229-13]

But seas between us braid[229-14] hae roared Sin' auld lang syne.

_For auld_, etc.

And here's a hand, my trusty frere,[230-15]

And gie's[230-16] a hand o' thine; And we'll tak a right guid[230-17] willie-waught[230-18]

For auld lang syne.

_For auld_, etc.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FOR AULD LANG SYNE]

And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup,[230-19]

And surely I'll be mine; And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne.

_For auld_, etc.

FOOTNOTES:

[228-1] Literally, _Auld Lang Syne_ means _Old Long-Since_. It is difficult to bring out the meaning of the Scotch phrase by a single English word. Perhaps _The Good Old Times_ comes as near to it as anything. The song gives so much meaning to the Scotch phrase that now every man and woman knows what _Auld Lang Syne_ really stands for.

[229-2] That is, _we will drink for the sake of old times_.

[229-3] _Twa_ means _two_.

[229-4] _Hae_ is the Scotch for _have_.

[229-5] A brae is a sloping hillside.

[229-6] _Pou'd_ is a contracted form of _pulled_.

[229-7] Dandelions, daisies and other yellow flowers are called _gowans_ by the Scotch.

[229-8] _Mony_ is _many_.

[229-9] _Sin'_ is a contraction of _since_.

[229-10] _Paidl't_ means _paddled_.

[229-11] A burn is a brook.

[229-12] _Frae_ is the Scotch word for _from_.

[229-13] _Dine_ means _dinner-time_, _midday_.

[229-14] _Braid_ is the Scotch form of _broad_.

[230-15] _Frere_ means _friend_.

[230-16] _Gie's_ is a contracted form of _give us_.

[230-17] _Guid_ is the Scottish spelling of _good_.

[230-18] A willie-waught is a hearty draught.

[230-19] A pint-stoup is a pint-cup or flagon.

HOME THEY BROUGHT HER WARRIOR DEAD

_By_ ALFRED TENNYSON

Home they brought her warrior dead: She nor swoon'd nor utter'd cry: All her maidens, watching, said, "She must weep or she will die."

Then they praised him, soft and low, Call'd him worthy to be loved, Truest friend and n.o.blest foe; Yet she never spoke nor moved.

Stole a maiden from her place, Lightly to the warrior stept, Took a face-cloth from the face; Yet she neither moved nor wept.

Rose a nurse of ninety years, Set his child upon her knee-- Like summer tempest came her tears-- "Sweet my child, I live for thee."