Not gonna lie, if someone walked up to me and said the words, Auld Lang Syne, they would most likely get my confused look. The same look I give mid-way through the song. Ok, two bars in.
If you're still rocking your confused face over the words, Auld Lang Syne, allow me to fill you in; it's the song you try to sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. While the song's origin dates back to early seventeen hundreds Scotland, it wasn't until 1788 when the Scot poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, put his spin on the 'old song' and birthed the Auld Lang Syne we sing today.
'For Auld Lang Syne', loosely translates to, 'For The Sake of Old Times'.
(If you need to know more then my condensed version about the origin of Auld Lang Syne, go here.)
Auld Lang Syne, as it's sung today:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
- For auld lang syne, my dear,for auld lang syne,we'll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
Auld Lang Syne
heard at most parties I've been to:
- Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind.Should old acquaintance be forgot,and have a great damn time
- lalalalalalalalalala
- lalalalalalalaaaaalalalalaaallla
- I need more champaign and someone to kiss...
- WAIT! There's a traditional Dance!
- Everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a circle. Sway back and forth while singing. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right-hand reaches out to the neighbor on the left and vice versa. (See the happy dudes dancing to the above)
When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands. When the circle is re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end up facing outwards with hands still joined.
NOTE: In countries other than Scotland the hands are often crossed from the beginning of the song at variance with Scottish custom.
How will you sing it this year? Bookmark this page or pin the image below as a refrence.
