Purano Sei Diner Kotha

Robert Burns wrote the poem “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788 and tuned it to a traditional Scottish folk song ((Roud # 6294). The song became so popular that it was recomposed in numerous versions across the globe. The original lyric of the song is as follows:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o’ 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 pu’d the gowans fine,

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot

Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’t 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 fiere,

And gie’s a hand o’ thine,

And we’ll tak a right guid willie-waught

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!

This song was later translated into modern English and it sung like this:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,

And days of long ago!

Chorus:

For times gone by, my dear

For times gone by,

We will take a cup of kindness yet

For times gone by.

We two have run about the hillsides

And pulled the daisies fine,

But we have wandered many a weary foot

For times gone by.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream

From noon until dinner time,

But seas between us broad have roared

Since times gone by.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,

And give us a hand of yours,

And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale)

For times gone by!

And surely you will pay for your pint,

And surely I will pay for mine!

And we will take a cup of kindness yet

For times gone by!

Song writers and musicians all over the world were so impressed with the tune that most of them have their own version of it. Our very own Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore also took inspiration from this song and created his own version, “Purano Sei Diner Kotha” in the year 1885. The lyric of the Bengali version is as follows:

Purano Sei Diner Kotha, Bhulbi Ki Re, Haye

O Sei Chokher Dekha, Praner Kotha, Sheki Bhola Jai. (2)

Aye Are Ekti Baar, Aye Re Sokha, Praaner Majhe Aye.

Mora Shukher Dukher Kotha Kobo, Praan Jurabe Tai. (2)

Mora Bhorer Bela Phool Tulechi, Dulechi Dolaay—

Baajiye Baansi Gaan Geyechi, Bokuler Tolaay. (2)

Hay Majhe Holo Chhaara Chhaari, Gelem Ke Kothay—

Aabar Dekha Jodi Holo, Sokha, Praaner Maajhe Aye.

Purano Sei Diner Kotha, Bhulbi Ki Re, Haye

O Sei Chokher Dekha, Praner Kotha, Sheki Bhola Jai.