“Auld Lang Syne,” the poignant anthem of farewells and new beginnings sung globally, is intrinsically linked to the legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. While often associated solely with New Year’s Eve celebrations, the true depth and enduring power of the Auld Lang Syne Poem By Robert Burns lie in its exploration of memory, friendship, and the passage of time. It’s a call to remember shared experiences and connections, even as lives diverge. This timeless work transcends cultural boundaries, appearing in countless contexts from intimate gatherings to major historical events, resonating with a universal longing for the past.
The phrase “auld lang syne” itself translates directly from Scots to “old long since,” or more commonly interpreted as “for old times’ sake,” “the good old days,” or “back in the day.” The poem, or song as it is most widely known, isn’t entirely an original composition by Burns. He famously sent it to the Scots Musical Museum in 1788, stating that he had collected it from an old man and that it was an old song that had “never been in print, nor even in manuscript, until I took it down from an old man’s singing.” While he may have collected and refined existing verses, the version we know today is undeniably shaped and popularized by his touch, particularly the verses about remembering past camaraderie despite present distance. Exploring robbie burns poetry reveals his deep connection to Scottish culture and language.
The poem’s verses paint vivid, yet simple, pictures of shared youth and friendship. It opens with a rhetorical question: Should old acquaintances be forgotten? The answer, embedded in the chorus, is a resounding “No,” reinforced by the suggestion of taking a drink together “for auld lang syne.”
Here is Robert Burns’ original version in Scots:
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 tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.
Chorus
And here is a common English translation:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old 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.
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
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
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give me a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
Chorus
Analyzing the verses provides deeper insight. Stanzas three and four are particularly evocative, contrasting youthful days spent running on the “braes” (slopes) and picking “gowans” (daisies), or paddling in the “burn” (stream), with the present reality where “seas between us braid hae roar’d” and “we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit.” Despite the distance and the passage of time that has taken them on separate weary journeys, the sentiment circles back to the chorus – the bond of friendship from “auld lang syne” demands remembrance and a shared moment (“tak a cup o’ kindness,” “right gude-willie waught”). This blend of specific, grounded imagery with universal themes of separation and connection is characteristic of robert burns famous poems.
The cultural impact of “Auld Lang Syne” is immense. Beyond its ubiquitous presence at New Year’s Eve countdowns as a symbol of reflecting on the past year and welcoming the next, it has appeared in poignant cinematic moments, such as the ending of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) or When Harry Met Sally (1989). Perhaps one of the most historically significant instances occurred during the 1914 Christmas Truce in World War I, where opposing soldiers briefly set aside hostilities to share a moment of common humanity, singing songs including this one, highlighting its power to evoke shared sentiment even among strangers or enemies. This echoes the spirit of connection celebrated during poems for burns night, honoring the poet’s legacy.
Illustration depicting friends sharing a drink, reflecting the spirit of Robert Burns' Auld Lang Syne.
Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” remains a powerful testament to the enduring value of friendship and shared history. Its simple, heartfelt message encourages us to pause, remember those who have been part of our journey, and perhaps raise a “cup o’ kindness” to the memories that connect us across time and distance. It is a poem that reminds us that while time moves on, the bonds forged in the “good old days” are never truly forgotten if we keep them in our hearts and minds.