Maria asks…
What is the song "Auld Lang Syne" saying?
Can I have a brief explanation about its history and what it's saying?
admin answers:
"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish 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 English-speaking countries, and it is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day.
The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago" [1] or "days gone by". 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.[2] In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase “In the days of auld lang syne” as the equivalent of “Once upon a time.” In Scots syne is pronounced like the English word sign — IPA: [sain] — not [zain] as many people pronounce it. The last line of the chorus is frequently mis-sung by crowds and untrained groups as "for the sake of Auld Lang Syne". This is partly because the words themselves are not understood, but also because it has become common practice. It is rarely, if ever, incorrectly performed by trained choirs.
History:
Robert Burns forwarded 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's singing, is enough to recommend any air.” At the time it was fashionable to claim one's own work was "traditional"; therefore, one should take Burns' statement with mild scepticism. 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. [3] It is a fair supposition to attribute the rest of the poem to Burns himself.[4]
There is some doubt as to whether the melody used today is the same one Burns originally intended, but it is widely used both in Scotland and in the rest of the world. Links to the original and contemporary melodies can be found here
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 (and other Britons) emigrated around the world, they took the song with them.
Band leader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the use of the song at New Year’s celebrations in America, through his annual broadcasts on radio and TV, beginning in 1929. The song became his trademark; in addition to his live broadcasts, he recorded the song more than once, first in 1939, and at least once later, on September 29, 1947, in a record issued as a single by Decca Records as catalog #24260.[5]
However, he neither invented nor introduced the custom, even there. The ProQuest newspaper archive has articles dated 1896 that describe revellers on both sides of the Atlantic singing the song to usher in the New Year. Two examples follow:
* "Holiday Parties at Lenox" (Massachusetts, USA) (1896) – The company joined hands in the great music room at midnight and sang “Auld Lang Syne” as the last stroke of 12 sounded and the new year came in.[6]
* "New Year's Eve in London" (London, UK) (1910) – Usual Customs Observed by People of All Classes… The passing of the old year was celebrated in London much as usual. The Scottish residents gathered outside of St. Paul's Church and sang “Auld Lang Syne” as the last stroke of 12 sounded from the great bell.[7]
Sandy asks…
What is the song auld lang syne about and why do we sing it on New Year?
admin answers:
Emily Hancock of the Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service ("Auld Lang Syne: Traditional Song, but No One Knows Why or Meaning," Dec. 22, 1995) said that these Scots words mean literally "old long since," in the sense of "days gone by."
Scottish poet Robert Burns penned the words in 1798 and set them to a Scottish tune that was first published in 1711 (nobody knows who wrote the melody, how old it really is or whence it came).
"Auld Lang Syne's" association with New Year's Eve began in the 20th century; bandleader Guy Lombardo began the tradition on a radio broadcast of 1929.
Susan asks…
Am i crazy to hate the song Auld Lang Syne?
it annoys the crap outta me and i cant for the life of me figure out why. Is it because my parents wont let my bf over on new years and because of that we have no kissed i have never gotten a kiss on new years eve is that why it annoys me so much?
admin answers:
Not at all, I hate this song to. I cringe when it starts playing on New Years Eve, when all the saddo's link arms.
George asks…
Do you think the New Years Song Auld Lang Syne be more appropriate to be sung on St. Patrick's Day?
Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns
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!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught
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!
admin answers:
Yes if it's for Catholic and Protestant hatchet-burying.
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