“Auld Lang Syne” was written by Robert Burns in 1788 and has become one of the most widely recognized songs across the English-speaking world. Originally a Scots-language poem, its message about friendship, nostalgia, and shared memories has made it a staple at New Year’s celebrations and a symbolic farewell at various life events, from graduations to funerals.
Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the modern/standard English lyrics in “Auld Lang Syne.”
- Song: Auld Lang Syne
- Songwriter: Robert Burns
- Released: 1788
- Genre: Folk
What is “Auld Lang Syne” About?
Verse 1: Remembering Old Times
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should people we once knew well, or important experiences from the past, be allowed to fade from memory?
It’s pointing out how easily we can forget old friends and shared moments as life pushes us forward. It’s a call to pause and remember those days.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?
“Auld lang syne” roughly translates to “old long since,” or more naturally, “for old times’ sake.”
This is about recognizing the value of the past and the time that has passed. It’s about remembering a shared history and the years we’ve spent together.
Chorus: A Toast to Friendship
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
This is the answer to the questions posed in the verses. It’s saying that, yes, we absolutely should celebrate the old times.
It’s meant to be said/sang to close friends, celebrating our shared past and all the history that goes with it.
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Simple meaning here: let’s have a drink together!
The “cup of kindness” is a gesture of goodwill and friendship, sharing a drink to honor and cement the relationship.
It’s a toast to history, sealing the decision to keep the memories and the relationship alive.
That’s where the New Year’s version of “Auld Lang Syne” usually ends, but there are four more verses….
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Verse 2: The Shared Drink
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
This verse adds a bit of lightheartedness, suggesting a shared drink between friends, each buying their own pint.
It’s basically saying, “We’re both committing to having a good time together today.”
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne
This repeats the end of the chorus. Drink to your shared history!
Verse 3: Childhood Memories
We two have run about the hills
And picked the daisies fine
Running across the countryside and gathering flowers together are carefree, innocent memories.
These relationships were forged in early life, recalling days spent together without worry or adult complications.
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot
Since auld lang syne.
The friends have traveled far, both literally and figuratively. They have encountered difficulties, grown tired, and faced challenges as they walked through the years.
It reminds us that life is tough, but those early friendships are still important.
Verse 4: The Separation
We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till dine
This is a specific, shared memory of friends spending an entire day together, paddling in a stream from dawn until dinner.
It’s really about any activity you used to do with your friends when you were younger.
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne
The friendship has been separated by great “seas,” a metaphor for the physical distances, life changes, and circumstances that have come between them.
This is the natural drifting apart that happens to many friends as they grow up.
Verse 5: A Renewed Pledge
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
This is an invitation to reconnect, to hold onto the bond that once existed, even if time and distance have strained it.
Holding hands is a sign of trust and loyalty, forgetting all the years of separation to show that the friendship is still strong.
And we’ll take a right good-will draught
For auld lang syne
Another toast to celebrate the enduring power of their friendship.
The drink is a commitment to the memories, the love, and the loyalty that time and distance could not destroy.
“Auld Lang Syne” Song Meaning: A Celebration of Shared History
“Auld Lang Syne” is a classic song about friendship and remembrance. It’s about the relationships that shape us and the times we shared with others. In a broader sense, the song represents the idea that, despite life’s inevitable changes, we should continue to raise a glass to the people who have been part of our journey.
Whether it’s on New Year’s Eve or any major life event, “Auld Lang Syne” is a tribute to the power of old friendships and the significance of remembering where we came from.
Songs Like “Auld Lang Syne”
There aren’t many songs exactly like “Auld Lang Syne,” but these songs have similar themes:
1. “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers
“Lean On Me” is a community and friendship classic. It promotes the idea that everyone sometimes needs help, and we should be ready to be the person that others can rely on.
Related: “Lean On Me” Song Meaning
2. “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King
Carole King’s hit is a promise of availability and dedication. It’s about knowing you can count on someone no matter what, celebrating the reliability of a loyal friend who will always answer a call for help.
Related: Best Songs About Friendship
3. “Yesterday” by The Beatles
“Yesterday” is another song that reflects on the past and lost relationships. Both songs look at how time changes things, but also how those memories can stay with us and influence who we are today.
Related: Best Songs About Nostalgia
Conclusion: Remember the Old Times
“Auld Lang Syne” is an invitation to stop, remember, and honor the people who shaped our earlier lives. It asks us to raise a glass to the friends, the adventures, and the moments that defined us.
Whether sung at the close of a year or at the end of a chapter in life, “Auld Lang Syne” is a reminder to value what we’ve experienced and the people we’ve shared those experiences with.
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“Auld Lang Syne” FAQs
“Auld Lang Syne” is Scots, and it translates literally to “old long since.” In plain English, it means “for old times’ sake,” “days gone by,” or “long, long ago.”
It became traditional for people to sing it on New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay in Scotland) because the song is about bidding farewell to the past year and cherishing the memories and friendships that have lasted. It’s a toast to what has been.
The lyrics are a poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. He based his poem on an older Scottish folk song. Burns is credited with setting the words to a traditional tune, but he didn’t compose the melody himself.
During the final verse, people traditionally cross their arms across their chests so that their right hand reaches out to the left hand of the person next to them, and their left hand reaches to the right hand of the person on the other side.
While the first verse and chorus are most common at New Year’s Eve parties, the full five-verse version is often sung at farewell ceremonies, graduations, and funerals.
The song is often sung at funerals to honor the life of the deceased and the memories shared with them. Its themes of remembrance and farewell make it a fitting tribute.
