Auld Lang Syne (“for old times sake”) preserves old friendships and looks back at the events of the past. It brings a sense of belonging and fellowship tinged with nostalgia, celebrated by those gathered together in a circle by crossing their arms, and linking by clasping the hands of those next to them, singing
“And there’s the hand of my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we’ll take a deep drought of goodwill, For long, long ago”.
This is a tradition handed down by families of Scottish descent well worth treasuring and sharing.
“Auld Lang Syne”, traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, may also be heard at funerals, graduations, and as a farewell or ending to other occasions; for instance, many branches of the Scouting movement use it to close jamborees and other functions.
Robert Burns wrote the text of the poem in 1788 but used an older Scottish folk song which he “took down from an old man.” As for the melody, which was not the original one for the poem, it is a pentatonic Scots folk melody and was likely played at a faster more dance-like tempo.
Singing the song on Hogmanay or New Year’s Eve is a Scots custom that has spread around the world as folk from the British Isles took the song with them.
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
And surely you will buy your cup
And surely I’ll buy mine
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till night
The seas between us Lord and swell
Since the days of auld lang syne
For old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
For the sake of auld lang syne?
For old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
In the days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu’d the gowards fine
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne
