We sing it every year after the ball drops, yet most people couldn’t tell you its name or where it came from. Here is everything you need to know about “Auld Lang Syne,” that song we sing on New Year’s Eve. Make sure to turn up the volume!
You know that New Year's Eve song that everyone sings along to after the ball drops every year but no one necessarily knows the name of?
Yes, that one! It's called "Auld Lang Syne."
It's a tune we have all heard while ringing in the new year but oftentimes have been unable to give it a title.
It turns out folks around the world singalong to this beat, and with New Year's Eve right around the corner, we ought to look into the song's origins.
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Here's what you need to know about "Auld Lang Syne":
Who wrote "Auld Lang Syne"?
Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns wrote "Auld Lang Syne" in 1788.
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Burns claims to have transcribed the text as he listened to an old man singing a traditional song.
What is "Auld Lang Syne" about?
The historic song is sung all over the world and evokes a sense of "belonging, fellowship and nostalgia."
The song title, which translates to "Old Long Since," is a song that is meant to spark reflection. It is about two friends catching up over drinks while reflecting on their friendship.
The song sung on New Year's Eve is to look back on the previous years' events while preserving old friendships.
It has been recorded in many languages and various styles, including salsa, punk rock and ukulele.
How long is "Auld Lang Syne"?
The song's duration is 2 minutes and 22 seconds.
The version we hear after the ball drops on New Year's Eve is one verse and the chorus, but the full version has five verses.
The lyrics are as follows:
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
