Auld Lang Syne Is So Famous, But Why?

At some stage in our life, somewhere, we’ve all tried to sing along the melody of Auld Lang Syne.

And if you have not yet, it will happen… you wait and see! So we give you the song and the lyrics. Now, you are prepared for the coming year… with Auld Lang Syne!

Sing along with these lyrics to the video above

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

The origin of the song

This timeless classic dates back to the late 18th-century when Robert Burns (born January 25, 1759, Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland—died July 21, 1796, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire) claimed he came across the lyrics and that it actually already was an old song – at that time!. Some historians write that Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, wrote the lyrics himself! But Robert Burns had the correct version of the history of the song.

It used to be an old Scottish song, going back to around 1588. Then in 1788 – 200 hundred years later – Robert Burns applied his brilliant poetic mind to ‘fine-tune’ the lyrics. And so, from his original Scottish version, the more modern version is sung around the world every single year… all these years.

So many theories, but what does it really mean?

The meaning of song

The meaning is clear and simple. The song sends the message across to drink to days gone by with the prospect of a better future.

Happy that those days are gone; and happy that there will be better days ahead!

Comments

We'd love to hear from you. Tell us about your New Year's Eve traditions and which songs you like to sing along to? Perhaps, Happy New Year from ABBA?

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