.

When we study the verses themselves we see that the first three lines
are rather fine, but the fourth line is clumsy and matter-of-fact
compared with the others. In the second stanza "lowly thatched cottage"
may be a poetic description, but the home longing is not confined to
people who have lived in thatched cottages. Tame singing birds are
interesting, but home stands for higher and holier things. All he asks
for are a thatched cottage, singing birds and peace of mind: a curious
group of things. The fourth line of that stanza is unmusical and
inharmonious.

These facts make us see that what really has made the song so dear to us
is its sweet music and the powerful emotion that seizes us all when we
think of the home of our childhood.

FOOTNOTES:

[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
title, 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 manuscript, 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 gow