The morgan library in nyc has an exhibit about the history of favorite new years eve song, auld lang syne. The story of robert burns joanne findon, ted nasmith on. The story of auld lang syne gohd books september 29, 2014 blog posts the scottish independence referendum took place on 18 september 2014, and coincidentally, we recently acquired a beautiful edition of the poetical works of robert burns. But weve wanderd mony a weary fit, sin auld lang syne. It is a poem in scots dialect, set to a scots folk tune, and an unscientific survey says that a lot of us dont think much about the words, or even know them. All our physical stores and our online store are temporarily closed. It is also at least an interesting coincidence that it is a funeral hymn and auld lang syne is often sung at funerals. Auld lang syne the goodnight waltz internet archive. A wooden pin holds the mast in its place against the hail of adversity. Notes auld lang syne was a scottish folk song from the 1600s or earlier.
Theyre not quite folk songs, but popular implies the wrong thing. Auld lang syne mark gilston on mountain dulcimer youtube. Stories behind songs you grew up with auld lang syne robert burns c. The canadian soldiers song bookauld lang syne wikisource. Its impossible to say how many texts and tunes auld lang syne is. If it was originally meant to be sung to the auld lang syne tune and we certainly cant assume that it was most likely actually derived from the tune, not a source of it. Auld lang syne 2 theme code index 1122 61h also known as i feed a lad at michaelmas, many a man had a wife and wished he had none. Auld lang syne is a collection of songs organised by theme. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne. Auld lang syne, an illustrated song sing books with emily, the.
And well tak a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Hymn to commemorate the arrival of the new year or watch night, which joins a familiar text with a familiar tune, although these twoare not normally joined. The earliest germ of the song auld lang syne is found in an anonymous poem of the. Our memories are bursting with halfremembered songs. But same auld lang syne is more like an artful diary entry, a wrencher about running into a former love, having some beers with her, then parting ways forever because thats the way things. Burns thought the tune he originally heard with the song was mediocre, so music publisher george thompson printed auld lang syne with music to a traditional scottish melody. It would be the most popular poem ever written in english if only it were not written in scots. Auld lang syne was a scottish folk song from the 1600s or earlier. We all sing auld lang syne at midnight on december 31 but what are the lyrics. Lyrics to the tune of auld lang syne, from the album joy has dawned by kings kaleidoscope. The words to auld lang syne were written by the great scottish poet robert burns in 1788, and set to an old scottish folk melody. Auld lang syne is actually the title of a scots poem written by robert burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. Most appropriate for midnight singing into the new year. A staple in their repertoire was the old scottish folk tune auld lang syne, a song remembering those who had died that year.
But weve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. The line about for auld lang syne is essentially, for the sake of old times. Except for minor spelling and punctuation changes thats the one thompson published with the tune currently used for auld lang syne. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to youtube on your computer. Auld lang syne is a timeless collection of lyrics for all to cherish. Auld lang syne is a scotslanguage poem written by robert burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. These are songs that ordinary people sing, rather than professional musicians although many have been recorded by the latter.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne. In 1788 the robert burns sent the poem auld lang syne to the scots musical museum, indicating that it was an ancient song but that hed been the first to record it on paper. 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. Auld lang syne was of course written by scotlands favourite scribe, robert burns. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations, and as a farewell or ending to other occasions.
Auld lang syne, scottish song that features words attributed to robert burns and is associated with new years eve. And well take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne. O god, our help in ages past auld lang syne, simplified. Its seminal phrase, auld lang syne, is traditionally translated as long, long ago though old long ago is more literally correct based upon my deep understanding of the lowland scots language and is a song about love and friendship in times past. Imagine an unexpected meeting with a dear friend with whom you have been separated by distance and time. Auld lang syne is a scottish poem set to the tune of a traditional folk song. Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind. It is well known in many englishspeaking and other countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight.
An early printed version of the song old long syne from the year 1701. It is well known in many countries, especially in the englishspeaking world. The tune that ushers in every new year was written by a scotsmanand was made famous in america by a canadian. Bloof books, 2015, the mystery of the hidden driveway bloof books. The project gutenberg ebook, auld lang syne, by various this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. The words to auld lang syne toni crowe, author speaker. Vox explores the history and usage of this song in the new years eve song, explained. Auld lang syne is a scotslanguage poem written by robert burns in 1788 and set to the tune. This online exhibition untangles the complex origins of the song that has become, over time, a globally shared expression of friendship and longing. It was originally sung to a different tune from the current one. Another version of the same tune was published in 1792 in volume four of the johnson compilation, but with words entirely different from auld lang syne. Auld lang syne fiddler alasdair fraser talks about the history of the traditional new years song auld lang syne by robert burns, and performs the tune with singer mairi campbell.
Auld lang syne dougie maclean version with lyrics and. Set to a folk tune in the late 18c, it has been sung at new years celebrations across the empire, the colonies, and beyond. Inoformation about auld lang syne auld lang syne is a scots poem written by robert burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. Robert burns 17591796 had the air to which he wrote his famous lyrics from an old mans singing, and immediately wrote it down upon hearing as he thought it exceedingly expressive and which he later remarked has often thrilled through my soul. Auld lang syne became the standard song of new years eve, and even though it has nothing to do with christmas, it is often sung during the holiday season. We twa hae run about the braes, and poud the gowans fine. About the origin of the famous song auld lang syne, history of the music and words written by scottish poet robert burns. By extension, its use has also become common at funerals, graduations. Auld lang syne is a bit of a showstopper with several other scottish melodies woven in and this is complemented by a beautiful adaptation of perhaps scotland. The original scottish words of auld lang syne translate roughly to for old times sake. Auld lang syne is a song which thrilled the soul of robert burns in the 1780s, and today has become an anthem sung the world over at new year. Auld lang syne was written in 1788 and came from the pen of scotlands favorite son. It was originally penned in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. Youll have no excuse for not joining in the singing this new years eve.
However, the song isnt an entirely original composition. Just the first few notes of a tune can bring a sports stadium full of people to their feet or kindle memories of starlit. For the record, it never says the totally nonsensical for the sake of auld lang syne. Robert burns and auld lang syne at the morgan library. The international scouting movement in many countries uses it to close jamborees and other fu. Its all for old times sake and remembering friends. New lyrics to the tune of auld lang syne, from the album joy has dawned by kings kaleidoscope. Auld lang syne translates into days gone by or old times or times long past. We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine. Most people dont know that it is a scottish poem written in 1788 by robert burns and later set to the music of a.
They stick with us in a way that no other words do. Over the centuries, singing auld lang syne on new years eve became a scottish tradition. Its traditional use is to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of. In the midnineteenth century, the american version carried the quaint title of song of the old folks. This is the classic song sung on new years eve after the ball drops in times square each year, and all around. Videos you watch may be added to the tvs watch history and influence tv recommendations. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, well take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Sing all glory be to christ to the tune of auld lang syne. So, how did auld lang syne, a scottish folk tune, become americas goto song for new years eve celebrations.
The first publication where the music of the old tune appears is a small book. It is well known in many countries, especially in the englishspeaking world, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on new years eve. Beyond the words themselves, theres even less agreement about exactly how the tune came to be a new years eve tradition. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind. Here at comfortstand, we decided to celebrate the changing of the year by asking artists from all over the world to take the song most associated in peoples minds with new years eve the old scottish song auld lang syne, and to provide their interpretations of the tune. Celebrating the wonderful variety of songs, shanties, ballads, ditties and anthems that wind through our lives and bring us together, auld lang syne is a timeless collection for all to cherish.
Auld lang syneshould auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought. If the link is red you can create them using the form provided. As the clock strikes midnight on new years eve, one song will usher in. Dont worry theyre all here along with the words and tune to a guid new year tae ane an aa.
Auld lang syne a little history of the scottish poem. This song is an excellent ode to old friends and friendship. Illustration to robert burns poem auld lang syne by j. Auld lang syne is a song which thrilled the soul of robert burns in the 1780s. It was set to a different tune from the current one. Mark gilston welcomes in 20 playing the classic scots tune used by robert burns. Auld lang syne and four generations of my family the. It was robert burns 17591796, the great eighteenthcentury scottish poet, who transformed the old verses into the version we know today.