Auld Lang Syne History & Lyrics

Auld Lang Syne (The Good Old Days) is a song traditionally sung at midnight when horns are blown, confetti is thrown, and a general party atmosphere is created to ring in the New Year with happiness and hope for a bright and prosperous year. The outgoing year is often represented by an elderly man known as Father Time and the new year is represented by a baby known as Baby New Year.

Robert Burns wrote the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne in the 1700's.

Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne

And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Note: Turn the music that is playing now off (under the "Happy New Year" banner above) to enjoy Susan Boyles' video!

Here are a couple of excellent additions to your Holiday CD collection.

Auld Lang Syne - (Audio CD) - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians - The original and traditional "Auld Lang Syne" plus 9 additional tracks. Click here to hear a brief sample.

Faith: A Holiday Album - (Audio CD) - Kenny G - A thoughtful and moving collection of songs, spirituals, and hymns, with his trademark sound wedded to several ensemble and orchestral arrangements. The G-man stretches out in "Sleigh Ride" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," but these are balanced by more serious pieces such as the lovely, original "Eternal Light ( A Chanukah Song)" and "Ave Maria." After, "The Christmas Song," the record closes with a haunting audio history of America's last century, which runs under a revisited version of "Auld Lang Syne."