What does Auld Lang Syne mean, and why do we sing it on New Year’s?
When the ball drops every New Year it seems the whole (English speaking) world erupts in a strange song with lyrics no one understands. Something about forgetting old acquaintances.
Here’s the deal about “Auld Lang Syne”: where it came from, what it means, and why we sing it at the beginning of every year.
Where it came from?
Auld Lang Syne is an extremely old Scottish Folk Tune (Roud # 6294.) 18th century poet Robert Burns is credited with interpreting and partially rewriting the tune in the early 1700s. Burns sent a transcribed copy of the song/poem with this note to the Scots Musical Museum with this message: “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man”.
The 1711-printed song soon became a Scottish tradition to sing for the New Year, and this tradition quickly spread to England and Ireland, and then with Scottish, English, and Irish immigrants to America. The traditional way to sing the song is to stand in a circle hold hands, and at the beginning of the last verse, to cross your arms across your chest and join hands that way. This practice represents the message of the lyrics and spirit of the song to stay connected to those around you.
What does Auld Lang Syne actually mean?
Auld Lang Syne basically translates to “Old times past,” or “long time since.” The song poses a question if we should forget old acquaintances and times past, and ultimately gives the feeling that we should not forget the past people, places, and events in our lives as we face the new opportunities of the future.
Most people make up most of the lyrics, hum, and basically just bs their through the song, but while many people stumble over the lyrics, the spirit of the song is universally understood.
Why We Sing it Every Year?
While the tradition was already strong for many immigrants in America, radio (and later, TV personality) Guy Lombardo brought the song deep in the consciousness of American and English-speaking culture by singing the song on New Year’s every year. This type of broadcast tradition permeated the culture, and now we simply can’t ring in the New Year without it!
What are the real lyrics?
Like most traditional songs, there are several manifestations of the lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne,” but here are the lyrics attributed to Burns that was published in 1711.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo (or my dear),
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
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.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i’ the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
and gie’s a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And, here’s a more easily understood English translation:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give me a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
Here’s Lea Michele singing Auld Lang Syne:
