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Burns Night is when Scotland’s most important bard, Robert Burns (1759-1796), is celebrated, usually with the recitation of Burns’ poems, the eating of haggis, and the drinking of whiskey. It occurs on January 25, Burns’ birthday.

Poet Jeff Eardley has composed a rendition of the song “Auld Lang Syne,” which was based on a Burns’ poem (itself based on another Scottish folk song):

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Jeff Eardley lives in the heart of England near to the Peak District National Park and is a local musician playing guitar, mandolin and piano steeped in the music of America, including the likes of Ry Cooder, Paul Simon, and particularly Hank Williams.

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17 Responses

  4. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Jeff, this is very beautiful indeed – a perfect gift that’s arrived just in time for Burns Night celebrations. You are a man of many talents. Thank you for sharing this one. Have fun tonight!!

    Reply
  5. Norma Pain

    I enjoyed this beautiful guitar-playing very much Jeff. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
  6. Margaret Coats

    Jeff, your rendition is splendid. It suits not only the well-known first stanza and chorus, but helps to show how the poem following should be sung. Burns did not claim authorship of “Auld Lang Syne” but said he only found it. Today most scholars believe he wrote the additional four stanzas.

    Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
    And never brought to mind?
    Should auld acquaintance be forgot
    And auld lang syne?

    For auld lang syne, my dear,
    For auld lang syne,
    We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
    For auld lang syne.

    [The above chorus is sung after each stanza.]

    And surely you’ll be your pint stowp,
    And surely I’ll be mine,
    And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
    For auld lang syne.

    We twa hae run about the braes,
    And pou’d the gowans fine,
    But we’ve wandered mony a weary fit,
    Sin’ auld lang syne.

    We twa had 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 trusty fere,
    And gi’e ‘s a hand of thine!
    And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught
    For auld lang syne.

    Reply
  7. Jeff Eardley

    Margaret, I have just returned from performing at a local Burns night here in Staffordshire and thank you for the version of this great song that few folk know beyond the first stanza and chorus.
    My version is slightly Anglicised but the sentiment is the same…
    We two have rambled on the hills
    And pulled the daisies fine
    We’ve rambled many’s the weary foot
    Since the days of Auld Lang Syne.
    And we have paddled in the stream
    From morning sun till dine
    But seas between us broad have roared
    Since the days of Auld Lang Syne

    Now surely you’ll buy your pint pot
    And surely I’ll buy mine
    We’ll take a deep draught of goodwill
    For the days of Auld Lang Syne
    So take my hand my trusty friend
    And give me a hand of thine
    We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
    For the days of Auld Lang Syne
    Your comments are always appreciated and none more so than tonight. Best wishes.

    Reply
  8. C.B Anderson

    Very nice, Jeff. I wish I hadn’t given up on the mandolin and guitar so early, and I deeply regret never having taught myself how to cross-pick on the mandolin in the style of Jesse McReynolds.

    Reply
  9. Jeff Eardley

    CB, the mandolin played well is one of life’s treasures. On the theory that it is never too late to do anything, can I recommend the, “Ultimate Mandolin Songbook” by Janet Davis. Some years ago, after seeing the amazing “Bonnie and Clyde” movie, I had aspirations to be a bluegrass banjo player, which is the finest way to lose all your friends. I was the butt of many jokes, the best of which was…A banjo player turns up at a music session, only to realise that he has left his banjo on the front seat of his car in the parking lot. He rushes outside and notices, from a distance, the shattered windscreen and the broken glass on the sidewalk. With horror, he looks into his car, only to find… two banjos. I am off to have a listen to Jesse McReynods. Thanks for your comment.

    Reply
  10. Patricia Allred

    Jeff,,, I loved your Anglicized version of Auld Lang L Syne. Simply exquisite, also, is your musical ability with the mandolin.
    It was a history lesson to boot, as I was not familiar with Burns Night.
    My great appreciation, Patricia

    Reply

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