" Auld LangSyne " (Scots pronunciation: [ˈɔːl (d) lɑŋ ˈsəi̯n]) [a][1] is a Scottish song. In the English-speaking world it is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay / New Year's Eve. And here’s a hand, my trusty frien', And gie's a hand o’ thine; We’ll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, For auld langsyne. · But what does the New Year’s song, “Auld LangSyne” mean? Where did it originate, and how did it become etched into history as the unofficial tune of the New Year’s tradition? Auld Lang Syne, Scottish song with words attributed to the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns. The composer is not definitely known. In English-speaking countries, the first verse and chorus are now closely associated with the New Year festival.The lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne” are in the Scots language. The title, translated literally into standard English, is Old Long Since. The words can be interpreted as since long ago or for old times’ sake. The lyrics are about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago. There is no specific reference to the new year.Burns first wrote down “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788, but the poem did not appear in print until shortly after his death in 1796. It was first published in volume five of James Johnson’s Scots Musical Museum. Burns, a major contributor to the compilation, claimed that the words of “Auld Lang Syne” were taken “from an old man’s singing.” However, the song has been associated with Burns ever since. As published by Johnson, the lyrics were set to a different tune from the one that later became familiar.Poems with similar words existed before the time of Burns. Sir Robert Ayton, who died in 1638, wrote Old Long Syne, a poem that was first published in 1711 and is sometimes cited as Burns’s inspiration. The Scottish poet Allan Ramsay published a poem in 1720 that begins with the line “Should auld acquaintance be forgot” but is otherwise dissimilar to the Burns poem.The melody also existed before Burns wrote down the words. The English composer William Shield used a similar tune in his comic opera Rosina, first performed in 1782. Another version of the same tune was published in 1792 in volume four of the Johnson compilation, but with words entirely different from “Auld Lang Syne.” Not until 1799 did the words and music that are now familiar appear together, in a Scottish song compilation published by George Thomson. In the 19th century the song was reprinted many times, and eventually it became part of the Scottish Hogmanay (New Year’s celebration). Hogmanay celebrants traditionally sing the song while they stand in a circle holding hands.The Canadian-born bandleader Guy Lombardo helped make “Auld Lang Syne” a New Year’s Eve tradition in North America. His band, the Royal Canadians, played the song at the turn of the new year in a series of popular radio (and later television) broadcasts that began on , and continued for more than 30 years.See full list on britannica.comShould 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,See full list on britannica.comShould 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,See full list on britannica.comDec 31, 2025 · Learn the origin, history and words of the Scottish song Auld Lang Syne, which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. Discover how the tune has been used by composers like Beethoven and Cliff Richard. · We sing the song at the end of the year, but what does 'Auld LangSyne' mean? Find out what it means and why we sing it on New Year's Eve. When is 'Auld Lang Syne' sung?"Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. At Hogmanay in Scotland, it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a great circle around the dance floor.What does Auld Lang Syne mean?" Auld Lang Syne " (Scots pronunciation: [ˈɔːl (d) lɑŋ ˈsəi̯n]) [a] is a Scottish song. In the English-speaking world it is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay / New Year's Eve.Who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne'?The words were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, but Burns himself revealed at the time of composing it that he had collected the words after listening to the verse of an old man on his travels, claiming that his version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ marked the first time it had been formally written down.Why is Auld Lang Syne a good song for New Year's Eve?Since the song emphasizes friendship and parting with the past, Auld Lang Syne is perfect for New Year’s Eve, as it encompasses everything the holiday stands for (saying goodbye to one year so that another can begin). What Does ‘We’ll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet’ Mean? · Despite its familiar melody, “Auld LangSyne” is rarely paused over or fully understood. The song’s words and traditions come from a much older world, carrying layers of meaning that go... · But what does the New Year’s song, “Auld LangSyne” mean? Where did it originate, and how did it become etched into history as the unofficial tune of the New Year’s tradition? Auld Lang Syne, Scottish song with words attributed to the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns. The composer is not definitely known. In English-speaking countries, the first verse and chorus are now closely associated with the New Year festival.The lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne” are in the Scots language. The title, translated literally into standard English, is Old Long Since. The words can be interpreted as since long ago or for old times’ sake. The lyrics are about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago. There is no specific reference to the new year.Burns first wrote down “Auld Lang Syne” in 1788, but the poem did not appear in print until shortly after his death in 1796. It was first published in volume five of James Johnson’s Scots Musical Museum. Burns, a major contributor to the compilation, claimed that the words of “Auld Lang Syne” were taken “from an old man’s singing.” However, the song has been associated with Burns ever since. As published by Johnson, the lyrics were set to a different tune from the one that later became familiar.Poems with similar words existed before the time of Burns. Sir Robert Ayton, who died in 1638, wrote Old Long Syne, a poem that was first published in 1711 and is sometimes cited as Burns’s inspiration. The Scottish poet Allan Ramsay published a poem in 1720 that begins with the line “Should auld acquaintance be forgot” but is otherwise dissimilar to the Burns poem.The melody also existed before Burns wrote down the words. The English composer William Shield used a similar tune in his comic opera Rosina, first performed in 1782. Another version of the same tune was published in 1792 in volume four of the Johnson compilation, but with words entirely different from “Auld Lang Syne.” Not until 1799 did the words and music that are now familiar appear together, in a Scottish song compilation published by George Thomson. In the 19th century the song was reprinted many times, and eventually it became part of the Scottish Hogmanay (New Year’s celebration). Hogmanay celebrants traditionally sing the song while they stand in a circle holding hands.The Canadian-born bandleader Guy Lombardo helped make “Auld Lang Syne” a New Year’s Eve tradition in North America. His band, the Royal Canadians, played the song at the turn of the new year in a series of popular radio (and later television) broadcasts that began on , and continued for more than 30 years.See full list on britannica.comShould 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,See full list on britannica.comShould 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,See full list on britannica.comDec 31, 2025 · Learn the origin, history and words of the Scottish song Auld Lang Syne, which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. Discover how the tune has been used by composers like Beethoven and Cliff Richard. · We sing the song at the end of the year, but what does 'Auld LangSyne' mean? Find out what it means and why we sing it on New Year's Eve. When is 'Auld Lang Syne' sung?"Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. At Hogmanay in Scotland, it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a great circle around the dance floor.What does Auld Lang Syne mean?" Auld Lang Syne " (Scots pronunciation: [ˈɔːl (d) lɑŋ ˈsəi̯n]) [a] is a Scottish song. In the English-speaking world it is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay / New Year's Eve.Who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne'?The words were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, but Burns himself revealed at the time of composing it that he had collected the words after listening to the verse of an old man on his travels, claiming that his version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ marked the first time it had been formally written down.Why is Auld Lang Syne a good song for New Year's Eve?Since the song emphasizes friendship and parting with the past, Auld Lang Syne is perfect for New Year’s Eve, as it encompasses everything the holiday stands for (saying goodbye to one year so that another can begin). What Does ‘We’ll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet’ Mean? · Despite its familiar melody, “Auld LangSyne” is rarely paused over or fully understood. The song’s words and traditions come from a much older world, carrying layers of meaning that go... · Learn the origin, history and words of the Scottish song Auld Lang Syne, which is traditionally sung on New Year's Eve. Discover how the tune has been used by composers like Beethoven and Cliff Richard. · We sing the song at the end of the year, but what does 'Auld LangSyne' mean? Find out what it means and why we sing it on New Year's Eve. When is 'Auld Lang Syne' sung?"Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. At Hogmanay in Scotland, it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a great circle around the dance floor.What does Auld Lang Syne mean?" Auld Lang Syne " (Scots pronunciation: [ˈɔːl (d) lɑŋ ˈsəi̯n]) [a] is a Scottish song. In the English-speaking world it is traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay / New Year's Eve.Who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne'?The words were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, but Burns himself revealed at the time of composing it that he had collected the words after listening to the verse of an old man on his travels, claiming that his version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ marked the first time it had been formally written down.Why is Auld Lang Syne a good song for New Year's Eve?Since the song emphasizes friendship and parting with the past, Auld Lang Syne is perfect for New Year’s Eve, as it encompasses everything the holiday stands for (saying goodbye to one year so that another can begin). What Does ‘We’ll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet’ Mean? · Despite its familiar melody, “Auld LangSyne” is rarely paused over or fully understood. The song’s words and traditions come from a much older world, carrying layers of meaning that go... · We sing the song at the end of the year, but what does 'Auld LangSyne' mean? Find out what it means and why we sing it on New Year's Eve. · Despite its familiar melody, “Auld LangSyne” is rarely paused over or fully understood. The song’s words and traditions come from a much older world, carrying layers of meaning that go...
