From Peter Forbes's 1812 collection, here is a Masonic version of Auld Lang Syne, which for whatever reason attracted several Masonic reworkings in the century or so after Burns and Thomson first published it. Not being a Mason I have no idea what any of this symbolism means; an "oblong square"?
Should ancient customs be forgot, An' never brought to min', Our mystic band still down does hand, The days o lang syne. It's auld lang syne my friends, It's auld lang syne, Our mystic band still down does hand, The days o' lang syne. Once curious led in darksome shade, I round an' round did twine, An' enter'd there, an oblong square, Like them o' lang syne. Then I did feel, bright brass an' steel, My ear I did incline, A whisper rose, as I suppose, It came frae lang syne. The darksome shade at once it fled, Then three great lights did shine, Then friends I saw, in double raw, Like them o' lang syne. Let babblers boast in darkness lost, About our word an' sign, Our secret deep, we'll ever keep, Like them o' lang syne. Then let the thistle an' the rose, An' shamrock green entwine, An' unity our meetin's crown, Like them o' lang syne. Then brethren free, come join wi' me, Let heart an' hand combine, An' we'll clap an' reel and raise the de'il, Like them o' lang syne.
Music of Dalkeith Copyright © 2001, Jack Campin
