La estatua de Robert Burns, Dumfries
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Who wrote Auld Lang Syne?
Auld Lang Syne was written down by Robert Burns in 1788 to preserve the Scottish language and culture after Scotland and England had formed the UK in 1707. Burns decided to travel around the country to collect and publish old Scots poetry and songs, so that this bit of Scotland’s spoken history wouldn’t fade from memory. Auld Lang Syne was one of the songs he found and features a mix of Scots and English words.
What does Auld Lang Syne mean?
The title is written in Scots, which is a language similar to English. The latest census in 2011 showed that around 1.5 million Scottish people reported being able to speak Scots fluently. Auld Lang Syne literally translates to "old long since" and is about remembering the good old days.
Un ceilidh tradicional escocés, Fintry
Why is Auld Lang Syne so popular?
The song’s simple and nostalgic melody made it popular at home and abroad. It was adapted as a soul song by Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles, a bluegrass song by Andrew Bird and a rock and roll song by Jimmy Hendrix.
Many different countries adapted or translated the lyrics and used it for sentimental events, such as the US Civil War song I wish the war was o’er! or the Dutch football anthem Wij houden van Oranje, in which the singer longs for the team to finally win the Euro Cup. It also appears in some sentimental movie scenes, such as in Wee Willie Winkie (1937), Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and When Harry Met Sally (1989).
What are the lyrics in Auld Lang Syne?
As we prepare to welcome in another year, we wanted to celebrate Hogmanay and Scotland’s unique and endearing culture with you. You might be more familiar with the full English adaptation of Auld Lang Syne by Guy Lombardo if you’re not from Scotland. But now you can sing along with us Scots in the original version, as we’ve given you the sheet music and the full original song so that you can sing along (and know what you’re singing!).
Auld Lang Syne sheet music
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my jo,
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!
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 fitt,
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 fiere!
and gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.
