Auld Lang Syne, a Scottish song. It was composed by Robert Burns about 1789. Auld Lang Syne is sung oftener than any other of Burns' songs. It is claimed, indeed, that it is sung oftener than any other song in the world. Its popularity seems to be increasing. As to the sources of the poem, Burns stated in his notes that he had written the song from hearing an old man sing it. Mr. Manson suggests that "the general opinion is that the poet was romancing. At least, if he recast some old song he handled it so as to make it his own, and to confer immortality upon it." Mr. W. E. Henley, the very intelligent and appreciative editor of the Centenary edition of Burns, has dug up an old song or two, familiar, no doubt, to Burns, from which he selects the following lines and refrain: Should auld acquaintance be forgot, An' never thocht upon? On old long syne, my jo, On old long syne, That thou canst never once reflect On old long syne. Mr. Henley adds, "And, after all, however poignant the regret, and however wide-eyed and resentful the amazement of those who esteem a man's work on the same terms as they would a spider's, and value it in proportion as it does, or does not, come out of his own belly, enough remains to Burns to keep him easily first in the first flight of singers in the vernacular, and to secure him, outside the vernacular, the fame of an unique artist. I have said that, as I believe, his genius was at once imitative and emulous; and, so far as the vernacular song is concerned, to turn the pages of our third volume is to see that, speaking broadly, his function was not origination but treatment, and that in treatment it is that the finer qualities of his endowment are best expressed and displayed. His measures are high-handed enough; but they are mostly justified. He never boggles at appropriation." We make room for the song entire. The version is that of Mr. Manson: AULD LANG SYNE. Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to min'? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne? Chorus. For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. We'll tak 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 wander'd mony a weary fitt Sin' auld lang syne. We twa hae paid'lt i' the burn Fra mornin sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne. And here's a hand, my trusty fier, And gie's a haud o' thine; And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne. And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine; And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.