Scots poet Robert Burns is credited as the author of the song, although Burns claimed he first heard the song from an old man in 1788. Burns was a prolific writer, usually in the Broad Scots dialect, but he also made part of his living collecting songs. It seems likely he augmented what he heard to create “Auld Lang Syne.” Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788 with the remark, “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.”

The overall meaning of the song is remembering kindness and love experienced in the past, and the point is to have listeners band together to bring a sense of union and belonging into the future.

What is the meaning of “Auld Lang Syne?”

The meaning of ‘Auld’ is “Old” and the meaning of ‘Lang Syne ‘ is “Long Since”. “Auld Lang Syne” directly translates to “old long ago.” However, the way it is used in the song essentially means the “good old days” or “times gone by.”

The lyrics “We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet” refers to the tradition of raising a glass, or a cup o’ kindness meaning with “good will, friendship and kind regard” and in remembrance of “noble deeds”.

The song is a sentimental piece about two old friends meeting and remembering “times long past,” as “auld lang syne” is often translated. Later verses tell of youthful friendship roaming the hills, picking flowers and paddling in streams, but wistfully the singer admits “seas between us broad have roared” as times have passed.

The song ends with the singer extending a hand to the old friend, and offering “a right gude-willie waught,” or a feeling of warmth, to a kindred spirit.

“Auld Lang Syne” quickly became a Scottish favorite when it was published shortly after Burns’ death in 1796. It was adopted as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration known as Hogmanay, which in Scotland until relatively recently was a bigger celebration than Christmas. The song traveled with Scots as they moved around the globe, and often took root in other cultures.

“Should old acquaintance be forgot?” is a rhetorical question

As immortalized in When Harry Met Sally, a casual listener to the song is likely to be confused as to what the central opening lyric means:

When Harry Met Sally – Auld Lang Syne

The answer is that it’s a rhetorical question. The speaker is asking whether old friends should be forgotten, as a way of stating that obviously one should not forget one’s old friends.

In the first “Sex in the City” movie, “Auld Lang Syne” plays while Carrie rushes to meet Miranda before midnight hits on New Year’s Eve.

Sex and the City: The Movie – Auld Lang Syne

Band leader Guy Lombardo made “Auld Lang Syne” an institution

“Auld Lang Syne” really became part of U.S. New Year’s tradition when bandleader Guy Lombardo played it at midnight on New Year’s in 1929 as a bridge between two live broadcasts. The rest, as they say, is history.

Guy Lombardo Orchestra – Auld Lang Syne (New Year 1946)

Happy New Year!

Happy 2016!