Auld Lang Syne

The new year is upon us! Every New Year, crowds of revelers the world over join together to sing a tune familiar to all . . . Auld Lang Syne. You know it, but do you know the history of it? Although the composer who set these famous words to music is unknown, Scottish poet Robert Burns is attributed as the writer of this poem, which was ultimately turned into one of the most recognizable tunes in the world. The recognizable lyrics to Auld Lang Syne are about old friends getting together to reminisce. Written by Burns in 1788, the tune the poem was set to in 1799 had been around for awhile by then. Auld Lang Syne became a Scottish New Years tradition, eventually catching on in North America and other English-speaking countries with the help of Guy Lombardo, who played the song for New Years on his radio show. For those interested in learning the English-version words, read on and Happy New Year!!

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.


We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.


We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne.


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.