Why Auld Lang Syne?

1. Where did the song come from?

Musicologists and folklorists have been debating this one for years. Some give credit to Scotland’s Robert Burns, others say it was a traditional Scottish folk song that had been handed down for years, and  he was the first person to write down a much older Scottish folk song. In 1788 he sent a copy of the song to his friend, Mrs Agnes Dunlop, exclaiming: “There is more of the fire of native genius in it than in half a dozen of modern English Bacchanalians!” Five years later he sent it to James Johnson, who was compiling a book of old Scottish songs, The Scottish Musical Museum, with an explanation: “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.”


2. It has global significance…

And not just for five minutes per year.   In France it is the song which eases the pain of parting with the hope that we will all see each other again – “Oui, nous nous reverrons, mes frères, ce n’est qu’un au revoir.”  In Bangkok and Beijing it is so ubiquitous as a song of togetherness and sad farewells, they presume it must be an old Thai or Chinese folk song. The tune was used by the Maldives and Korea for their national anthems, while Japanese department stores play it as a polite reminder for customers to leave at closing time.

3. …and meaning beyond New Year’s Eve

Auld Lang Syne’s championing of passing time and goodwill means it is often chosen to mark funerals (like that of Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau), graduations and, in It’s A Wonderful Life, at Christmas.

4. The song sung the world over isn’t the original tune

There is another, reportedly more traditional tune, that Auld Lang Syne is set to. If sources are to be believed, it’s the version featured in the Sex and the City film in 2008 and a more haunting, nostalgic and beautiful version of the jaunty singalong everybody is used to. Traditional Scottish folk singers still perform this version, and who can blame them – it’s far more refined.

5. It’s soundtracked some of the most memorable film scenes ever

In 1972’s The Poseidon Adventure, the playing of Auld Lang’s Syne was a harbinger of doom: it was during the luxury ship SS Poseidon’s December 31 celebrations that a tidal wave capsized the boat. As she begins to sink, you can hear the recognisable tune ringing out.

Seventeen years later, the song played as one of cinema’s best-known couples got together. While many have heard of the famous “I’ll have what she’s having!” scene in When Harry Met Sally, the film’s charming climax is set against a cocktail-dressed crowd singing along to Auld Lang’s Syne. After Harry and Sally finally declare their love, Harry ponders the meaning of Auld Lang Syne, and they both decide that…

6. “For Auld Lang Syne” means “for the sake of old times”.

Granted, you probably won’t care by this point in the evening, and it will certainly mark you out as a party pooper if you do correct your fellow revellers, but: the final line of the chorus isn’t “For the sake of Auld Lang Syne”. It’s just “For auld lang syne.” This is because, as mentioned above, Auld Lang Syne already means “for the sake of old times.” But it does fit pleasingly with the tune.

And just so you’ll be prepared, here are the lyrics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, 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.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.