Auld Lang Syne | Christmas and New Year's songs | Nursery Rhymes Songs f...
Auld Lang Syne
"Auld Lang Syne" (Scots
pronunciation: [ˈɔːl(d)
lɑŋˈsəin]: note "s" rather than
"z") is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the
tune of a traditional folk song (Roud #
6294). 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 Scoutingmovement in many
countries uses it to close jamborees and
other functions.
pronunciation: [ˈɔːl(d)
lɑŋˈsəin]: note "s" rather than
"z") is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the
tune of a traditional folk song (Roud #
6294). 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 Scoutingmovement 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, more idiomatically, "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".
poem's Scots title may be translated into standard English as "old long
since" or, more idiomatically, "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.
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.
History
Robert
Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum 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." Some
of the lyrics were indeed "collected" rather than composed by the
poet; the ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711 by James Watson
shows considerable similarity in the first verse and the chorus to Burns' later
poem, and is almost certainly derived from the same "old song".
Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum 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." Some
of the lyrics were indeed "collected" rather than composed by the
poet; the ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711 by James Watson
shows considerable similarity in the first verse and the chorus to Burns' later
poem, and is almost certainly derived from the same "old song".
Should Old Acquaintance be
forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.
forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.
CHORUS:
On old long syne my
Jo,
On old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On old long syne.
Jo,
On old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On old long syne.
It
is a fair supposition to attribute the rest of the poem to Burns himself.
is a fair supposition to attribute the rest of the poem to Burns himself.
There
is some doubt as to whether the melody used today is the same one Burns
originally intended, but it is widely used in Scotland and in the rest of the
world.
is some doubt as to whether the melody used today is the same one Burns
originally intended, but it is widely used in Scotland and in the rest of the
world.
Singing
the song on Hogmanay or New Year's Eve very
quickly became a Scots custom that
soon spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Scots (not to mention
English, Welsh and Irish people) emigrated around the world, they took the song
with them.
the song on Hogmanay or New Year's Eve very
quickly became a Scots custom that
soon spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Scots (not to mention
English, Welsh and Irish people) emigrated around the world, they took the song
with them.
Lyrics
The
song begins by posing a rhetorical question: Is it right that old times
be forgotten? The answer is generally interpreted as a call to remember
long-standing friendships. Thomson's Select Songs of Scotland was
published in 1799 in which the second verse about greeting and toasting was
moved to its present position at the end.
song begins by posing a rhetorical question: Is it right that old times
be forgotten? The answer is generally interpreted as a call to remember
long-standing friendships. Thomson's Select Songs of Scotland was
published in 1799 in which the second verse about greeting and toasting was
moved to its present position at the end.
Most
common use of the song involves only the first verse and the chorus. The last
lines of both of these are often sung with the extra words "For the sake
of" or "And days of", rather than Burns' simpler lines. This
allows one note for each word, rather than the slight melisma required
to fit Burns' original words to the melody.
common use of the song involves only the first verse and the chorus. The last
lines of both of these are often sung with the extra words "For the sake
of" or "And days of", rather than Burns' simpler lines. This
allows one note for each word, rather than the slight melisma required
to fit Burns' original words to the melody.
Melody
The
tune to which "Auld Lang Syne" is commonly sung is a pentatonic Scots
folk melody, probably originally a sprightly dance in a much quicker tempo.
tune to which "Auld Lang Syne" is commonly sung is a pentatonic Scots
folk melody, probably originally a sprightly dance in a much quicker tempo.
English
composer William Shield seems to quote the
"Auld Lang Syne" melody briefly at the end of the overture to his
opera Rosina', which may be its first recorded
use. The contention that Burns borrowed the melody from Shield is for various
reasons highly unlikely, although they may very well both have taken it from a
common source, possibly a strathspey called The Miller's
Wedding or The Miller's Daughter. The problem is that
tunes based on the same set of dance steps necessarily have a similar rhythm,
and even a superficial resemblance in melodic shape may cause a very strong
apparent similarity in the tune as a whole. For instance, Burns' poem Coming Through the Rye is sung to a
tune that might also be based on the Miller's Wedding. The origin
of the tune of God Save the Queen presents a very
similar problem and for just the same reason, as it is also based on a dance
measure. (See the note in the William Shield article on
this subject.)
composer William Shield seems to quote the
"Auld Lang Syne" melody briefly at the end of the overture to his
opera Rosina', which may be its first recorded
use. The contention that Burns borrowed the melody from Shield is for various
reasons highly unlikely, although they may very well both have taken it from a
common source, possibly a strathspey called The Miller's
Wedding or The Miller's Daughter. The problem is that
tunes based on the same set of dance steps necessarily have a similar rhythm,
and even a superficial resemblance in melodic shape may cause a very strong
apparent similarity in the tune as a whole. For instance, Burns' poem Coming Through the Rye is sung to a
tune that might also be based on the Miller's Wedding. The origin
of the tune of God Save the Queen presents a very
similar problem and for just the same reason, as it is also based on a dance
measure. (See the note in the William Shield article on
this subject.)
In
1855, different words were written for the Auld Lang Syne tune by Albert
Laighton and titled, "Song of the Old Folks." This song was included
in the tunebook, Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes published
in Boston, Massachusetts in 1860. For many years it was the tradition of
the Stoughton Musical Society to sing
this version in memory of those who had died that year.
1855, different words were written for the Auld Lang Syne tune by Albert
Laighton and titled, "Song of the Old Folks." This song was included
in the tunebook, Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes published
in Boston, Massachusetts in 1860. For many years it was the tradition of
the Stoughton Musical Society to sing
this version in memory of those who had died that year.
Uses
At New Year
"Auld
Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings
in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries.
Lang Syne" is traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings
in Scotland and around the world, especially in English-speaking countries.
At Hogmanay in
Scotland, it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next
to them to form a great circle around the dance floor. At the beginning of the
last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right
hand reaches out to the neighbour on the left and vice versa. 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.
Scotland, it is common practice that everyone joins hands with the person next
to them to form a great circle around the dance floor. At the beginning of the
last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right
hand reaches out to the neighbour on the left and vice versa. 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.
In
countries other than Scotland the hands are often crossed from the beginning of
the song at variance with Scottish custom. The Scottish practice was
demonstrated by the Queen at the Millennium Dome celebrations
for the year 2000. The English press berated her for not "properly"
crossing her arms, unaware that she was correctly following the Scottish
tradition.[16][17]
countries other than Scotland the hands are often crossed from the beginning of
the song at variance with Scottish custom. The Scottish practice was
demonstrated by the Queen at the Millennium Dome celebrations
for the year 2000. The English press berated her for not "properly"
crossing her arms, unaware that she was correctly following the Scottish
tradition.[16][17]
Other than New Year
As
well as celebrating the New Year, "Auld Lang Syne" is very widely
used to symbolise other "endings/new beginnings" – including
farewells, funerals (and other memorials of the dead), graduations,
the end of a (non-New Year) party, jamborees of the Scout Movement,
the election of a new government, the last lowering of the Union Jack as
a British colony achieves independence and even as a signal that a retail store
is about to close for the day. The melody is also widely used for other words,
especially hymns,
the songs of sporting and other clubs, and even national anthems.
In Scotland and other parts of Britain, in particular, it is associated with
celebrations and memorials of Robert Burns. The following list of specific uses
is far from comprehensive.
well as celebrating the New Year, "Auld Lang Syne" is very widely
used to symbolise other "endings/new beginnings" – including
farewells, funerals (and other memorials of the dead), graduations,
the end of a (non-New Year) party, jamborees of the Scout Movement,
the election of a new government, the last lowering of the Union Jack as
a British colony achieves independence and even as a signal that a retail store
is about to close for the day. The melody is also widely used for other words,
especially hymns,
the songs of sporting and other clubs, and even national anthems.
In Scotland and other parts of Britain, in particular, it is associated with
celebrations and memorials of Robert Burns. The following list of specific uses
is far from comprehensive.
In the English-speaking world
·
In Scotland, it is often sung at the end of a cèilidh,
a dance, and at weddings. At weddings, it is performed in the same way as at
New Year, but the bride and groom are often lifted up in the centre of the
circle.
In Scotland, it is often sung at the end of a cèilidh,
a dance, and at weddings. At weddings, it is performed in the same way as at
New Year, but the bride and groom are often lifted up in the centre of the
circle.
·
The tune is played, and sung by the crowd, in the final stages
of the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The tune is played, and sung by the crowd, in the final stages
of the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
·
In many Burns Clubs, it is sung at the end of the Burns supper.
In many Burns Clubs, it is sung at the end of the Burns supper.
·
In Great Britain, it is played at the close of the annual
Congress (conference) of the Trades Union Congress.
In Great Britain, it is played at the close of the annual
Congress (conference) of the Trades Union Congress.
·
The song is sung at the end of the Last Night of the Proms by the audience (rather than the
performers) and so it is not often listed on the official programme.
The song is sung at the end of the Last Night of the Proms by the audience (rather than the
performers) and so it is not often listed on the official programme.
·
The song is played at the Passing Out Parade of Young Officers
in the Royal Navy as they march up the steps of the Britannia Royal Naval College; and at the
Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for
young officers joining the British Army,
as the cadets march up the steps of their famous Old College building – to the
beat of the slow march, after the tune "Will ye no
come back?". This custom (or something very like it) is also
followed in Naval and Military colleges in many other countries, especially
members and former members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Examples include
the Royal Military College of Canada,
the Royal Military College (Malaysia),
the National Defence Academy (India), the Indian Military Academy, the Officers Training Academy (India),
the Pakistan Military Academy, Bangladesh Military Academy and at
the equivalent colleges in Singapore, Burma and Nigeria.
The song is played at the Passing Out Parade of Young Officers
in the Royal Navy as they march up the steps of the Britannia Royal Naval College; and at the
Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for
young officers joining the British Army,
as the cadets march up the steps of their famous Old College building – to the
beat of the slow march, after the tune "Will ye no
come back?". This custom (or something very like it) is also
followed in Naval and Military colleges in many other countries, especially
members and former members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Examples include
the Royal Military College of Canada,
the Royal Military College (Malaysia),
the National Defence Academy (India), the Indian Military Academy, the Officers Training Academy (India),
the Pakistan Military Academy, Bangladesh Military Academy and at
the equivalent colleges in Singapore, Burma and Nigeria.
·
The song is very widely used by the international Scout Movement,
where it is a popular closing song for jamborees and other occasions.
The song is very widely used by the international Scout Movement,
where it is a popular closing song for jamborees and other occasions.
·
Since 2007, the melody has been used as an introduction to the
mass chorus of "America the Beautiful" that is played by
the twelve finalist corps at the Finals Retreat at the Drum Corps International World
Championships. Coincidentally, "Auld Lang Syne" and "America the
Beautiful" have the same metre, and the lyrics can be sung
interchangeably.
Since 2007, the melody has been used as an introduction to the
mass chorus of "America the Beautiful" that is played by
the twelve finalist corps at the Finals Retreat at the Drum Corps International World
Championships. Coincidentally, "Auld Lang Syne" and "America the
Beautiful" have the same metre, and the lyrics can be sung
interchangeably.
In non-English-speaking countries
"Auld
Lang Syne" has been translated into many languages, and the song is widely
sung all over the world. The song's pentatonic scale matches scales used in
Korea, Japan, India, China and other East Asian countries, which has
facilitated its "nationalisation" in the East. The following
particular examples mostly detail things that are special or unusual about the
use of the song in a particular country.
Lang Syne" has been translated into many languages, and the song is widely
sung all over the world. The song's pentatonic scale matches scales used in
Korea, Japan, India, China and other East Asian countries, which has
facilitated its "nationalisation" in the East. The following
particular examples mostly detail things that are special or unusual about the
use of the song in a particular country.
·
In West Bengal and Bangladesh, the melody was the direct
inspiration for the popular Bengali folk
song "Purano shei diner kotha" ("Memories of the
Good Old Days"), composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore,[24] and
forms one of the more recognisable tunes in Rabindra Sangeet ("Rabindra's
Songs"), a body of work of 2,230 songs and lyrical poems that form the
backbone of Bengali music.
In West Bengal and Bangladesh, the melody was the direct
inspiration for the popular Bengali folk
song "Purano shei diner kotha" ("Memories of the
Good Old Days"), composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore,[24] and
forms one of the more recognisable tunes in Rabindra Sangeet ("Rabindra's
Songs"), a body of work of 2,230 songs and lyrical poems that form the
backbone of Bengali music.
·
In Denmark, the song was translated in 1927 by the famous Danish
poet Jeppe Aakjær. Much like Robert Burns'
use of dialect, Aakjær translated the song into Sallingbomål, a form of the Jutlandic
dialect often hard for other Danes to understand. The song
"Skuld gammel venskab rejn forgo" is
an integral part of the Danish Højskole tradition,
and often associated with more rural areas and old traditions. Also, the former
Danish rock group Gasolin modernised the melody in 1974 with their pop
ballad Stakkels Jim ("Poor Jim").
In Denmark, the song was translated in 1927 by the famous Danish
poet Jeppe Aakjær. Much like Robert Burns'
use of dialect, Aakjær translated the song into Sallingbomål, a form of the Jutlandic
dialect often hard for other Danes to understand. The song
"Skuld gammel venskab rejn forgo" is
an integral part of the Danish Højskole tradition,
and often associated with more rural areas and old traditions. Also, the former
Danish rock group Gasolin modernised the melody in 1974 with their pop
ballad Stakkels Jim ("Poor Jim").
·
In the Netherlands, the melody is best known as the Dutch football song
"Wij houden van Oranje"
("We Love Orange"), performed by André Hazes.
In the Netherlands, the melody is best known as the Dutch football song
"Wij houden van Oranje"
("We Love Orange"), performed by André Hazes.
·
In Thailand, the song "Samakkhi Chumnum" ("สามัคคีชุมนุม", "Together in
Unity"), which is set to the familiar melody, is sung after sporting
fixtures, and at the end of Boy Scout jamborees,
as well as for the New Year. The Thai lyrics are about the King and national
unity, and many Thais are not aware of the song's "Western" origin.
In Thailand, the song "Samakkhi Chumnum" ("สามัคคีชุมนุม", "Together in
Unity"), which is set to the familiar melody, is sung after sporting
fixtures, and at the end of Boy Scout jamborees,
as well as for the New Year. The Thai lyrics are about the King and national
unity, and many Thais are not aware of the song's "Western" origin.
·
In Japan, although the original song is not unknown, people
usually associate the melody with Hotaru no Hikari,
which also sets completely unconnected lyrics to the familiar tune. Hotaru
no Hikari is played at some school graduation ceremonies, and at the
end of the popular New Year's Eve show NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. It is played as
background music in various establishments such as bars, restaurants, or department stores in Japan to let the
customers know that the establishment is closing soon.
In Japan, although the original song is not unknown, people
usually associate the melody with Hotaru no Hikari,
which also sets completely unconnected lyrics to the familiar tune. Hotaru
no Hikari is played at some school graduation ceremonies, and at the
end of the popular New Year's Eve show NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. It is played as
background music in various establishments such as bars, restaurants, or department stores in Japan to let the
customers know that the establishment is closing soon.
·
In South Korea, the song is known as Jakbyeol (작별 / Farewell) or (less
commonly) as Seokbyeol-ui Jeong (석별의 정 / The Feeling of Farewell). From 1919 to 1945 it
served as the national anthem of the Korean exile government and from 1945 to
1948, it was the melody of South Korea's national anthem. The lyrics used
then are the same as the current South Korean
national anthem.
In South Korea, the song is known as Jakbyeol (작별 / Farewell) or (less
commonly) as Seokbyeol-ui Jeong (석별의 정 / The Feeling of Farewell). From 1919 to 1945 it
served as the national anthem of the Korean exile government and from 1945 to
1948, it was the melody of South Korea's national anthem. The lyrics used
then are the same as the current South Korean
national anthem.
·
Before 1972, it was the tune for the Gaumii salaam anthem of
The Maldives (with the current words).
Before 1972, it was the tune for the Gaumii salaam anthem of
The Maldives (with the current words).
In popular culture
The
strong and obvious associations of the song and its melody have made it a
common staple for film soundtracks from the very early days of
"talking" pictures to the present—a large number of films and
television series' episodes having used it for background, generally but by no
means exclusively to evoke the New Year.
strong and obvious associations of the song and its melody have made it a
common staple for film soundtracks from the very early days of
"talking" pictures to the present—a large number of films and
television series' episodes having used it for background, generally but by no
means exclusively to evoke the New Year.
Songwriter George M. Cohan samples the
first line of the "Auld Lang Syne" melody in the second to last line
of the chorus of "You're a Grand Old Flag." It is plain
from the lyrics that this is deliberate.
first line of the "Auld Lang Syne" melody in the second to last line
of the chorus of "You're a Grand Old Flag." It is plain
from the lyrics that this is deliberate.
John Philip
Sousa quotes the melody in the Trio section of his 1924 march
"Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company"
Sousa quotes the melody in the Trio section of his 1924 march
"Ancient and Honorable Artillery
Company"
In
the Sacred Harp choral
tradition, an arrangement of it exists under the name "Plenary". The
lyrics are a memento mori and begin with the words
"Hark! from the tomb a doleful sound". Another Christian setting,
using the name "Fair Haven" for the same tune, uses the text
"Hail! Sweetest, Dearest Tie That Binds" by Amos Sutton.
the Sacred Harp choral
tradition, an arrangement of it exists under the name "Plenary". The
lyrics are a memento mori and begin with the words
"Hark! from the tomb a doleful sound". Another Christian setting,
using the name "Fair Haven" for the same tune, uses the text
"Hail! Sweetest, Dearest Tie That Binds" by Amos Sutton.
The University of Virginia's alma mater ("The Good Old
Song") is also sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne".
Song") is also sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne".
Notable performances
Live and broadcast
·
1939: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
performed it in on New Year's Eve for decades until his death in 1977. Several
sources credit Lombardo with "popularising" the use of the song, at
least in the United States. Lombardo's version is played in Times Square every
New Year's immediately following the dropping of the ball.
1939: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
performed it in on New Year's Eve for decades until his death in 1977. Several
sources credit Lombardo with "popularising" the use of the song, at
least in the United States. Lombardo's version is played in Times Square every
New Year's immediately following the dropping of the ball.
·
1997: On 30 June, the day before Hong Kong was handed over from the
UK to China, the tune was played by the silver and pipe bands from the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, at the
departure of Hong Kong's 28th and last British Governor, Chris Patten,
from his official residence, Government House, Hong Kong.
1997: On 30 June, the day before Hong Kong was handed over from the
UK to China, the tune was played by the silver and pipe bands from the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, at the
departure of Hong Kong's 28th and last British Governor, Chris Patten,
from his official residence, Government House, Hong Kong.
·
2009: On 30 November – St. Andrew's Day – students and staff at
the University of Glasgow sang the song in 41 languages simultaneously
2009: On 30 November – St. Andrew's Day – students and staff at
the University of Glasgow sang the song in 41 languages simultaneously
·
2015: On 25 March, the song was played with a bagpipe on the
transfer of Lee Kuan Yew's body from the Istana to the
Parliament House
2015: On 25 March, the song was played with a bagpipe on the
transfer of Lee Kuan Yew's body from the Istana to the
Parliament House
Recordings
As
a standard in music, "Auld Lang
Syne" has been recorded many times, in every conceivable style, by many
artists, both well-known and obscure.
a standard in music, "Auld Lang
Syne" has been recorded many times, in every conceivable style, by many
artists, both well-known and obscure.
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