"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations, and as a farewell or ending to other occasions. The international Scouting movement in many countries uses it to close jamborees and other functions.
The poem's Scots title may be translated into standard English as "old long since" or, less literally, "long long ago", "days gone by", or "old times". Consequently, "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for the sake of old times".
The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686–1757), and James Watson (1711), as well as older folk songs predating Burns. Matthew Fitt uses the phrase "in the days of auld lang syne" as the equivalent of "once upon a time" in his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language.
Many artists have recorded the song over the years but most famously by Guy Lombardo whose version is played during New Year Eve celebrations.
Lyrics[]
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
In days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Appearances in Christmas specials[]
- An Affair to Remember (1957) [uncredited]
- Rudolph's Shiny New Year
- A Very Merry Pooh Year
- Happy Tree Friends: "Stealing the Spotlight"
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