Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song with words attributed to the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns. The composer is not definitely known. Britannica In English-speaking countries, the first verse and chorus are now closely associated with the New Year festival. Britannica
The lyrics are in the Scots language. The title, translated literally into standard English, is Old Long Since. Britannica The words can be interpreted as since long ago or for old times' sake. Britannica The lyrics are about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago. There is no specific reference to the new year. Britannica
Did Robert Burns write Auld Lang Syne, or revise it?
Britannica's New Year festival article calls Auld Lang Syne a nostalgic Scottish ballad "revised by the poet Robert Burns." Its dedicated Auld Lang Syne article says the words are attributed to Burns, that he first wrote the song down in 1788, and that he claimed the words were taken "from an old man's singing." It also notes earlier poems with similar words, including Sir Robert Ayton's Old Long Syne (published 1711) and a 1720 poem by Allan Ramsay. We report both wordings and do not choose one as the last word.
In the West, particularly in English-speaking countries, the nostalgic Scottish ballad "Auld Lang Syne," revised by the poet Robert Burns, is often sung on New Year's Eve. Britannica
Burns first wrote down "Auld Lang Syne" in 1788, but the poem did not appear in print until shortly after his death in 1796. Britannica It was first published in volume five of James Johnson's Scots Musical Museum. Britannica Burns claimed that the words of "Auld Lang Syne" were taken "from an old man's singing." Britannica
Poems with similar words existed before the time of Burns. Sir Robert Ayton, who died in 1638, wrote Old Long Syne, a poem that was first published in 1711. Britannica The Scottish poet Allan Ramsay published a poem in 1720 that begins with the line "Should auld acquaintance be forgot" but is otherwise dissimilar to the Burns poem. Britannica
The English composer William Shield used a similar tune in his comic opera Rosina, first performed in 1782. Britannica Not until 1799 did the words and music that are now familiar appear together, in a Scottish song compilation published by George Thomson. Britannica
Hogmanay celebrants traditionally sing the song while they stand in a circle holding hands. Britannica
The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's, now a worldwide custom, originated during Hogmanay. Britannica
The Canadian-born bandleader Guy Lombardo helped make "Auld Lang Syne" a New Year's Eve tradition in North America. His band, the Royal Canadians, played the song at the turn of the new year in broadcasts that began on December 31, 1929, and continued for more than 30 years. Britannica
The words, in Britannica's own comment, do not mention the new year. The New Year association is a later custom, not a line in the song.