Auld Lang Syne
The start of the New Year is often greeted at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve with the singing of the Scottish song Auld Lang Syne. It's a Scotish-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, based on an old folk song. There are five verses in total although normally it's only the first verse and chorus which are sung.
Auld Lang Syne actually means ‘old long since’ or ‘old times’. Hence the phrase ‘for auld lang syne’ means ‘for old time’s sake’.
Auld Lang Syne is an appropriate song for New Year given that it reflects on old times and begins to look ahead to new times to come. It’s always been popular in Scotland, with 19th Century Scottish immigrants taking the song to North America. In 1929 it gained international recognition when Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo and his band performed Auld Lang Syne at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York on New Year’s Eve.
Auld Lang Syne Lyrics - Standard English version
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld 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 Repeated
We two have run about the hills,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
*Chorus Repeated
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
*Chorus Repeated
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 Repeated