Auld Lang Syne
Although not strictly a Christmas song this, any collection of holiday music would not be complete without the inclusion of Auld Lang Syne.
“Auld Lang Syne” (pronounced “sign”, not “zyne”) is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song.
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. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions.
The song’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.”
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians performed it on New Year’s Eve from 1939 until his death in 1977. Lombardo’s version is played in Times Square every New Year’s immediately
following the dropping of the ball.
1) Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
2) 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.
CHORUS
3) We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
4) We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
5) And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
With thanks to Joseph Miller, here is the original 1947 version of Auld Lang Syne transferred from a mint condition 1947 Decca 78 RPM pressing using a Shure SC35C phono cartridge equipped with a 3 mil stylus. Pops and Clicks were removed using a custom built filtering system, digital noise gates and “Click Repair” 32 bit processing. It doesn’t get any better than this!
