I’m not sure that the song, “Auld Lang Syne,” by Robert Burns ever made the Hit Parade, but I do know that Robbie Burns didn’t actually compose the lyrics. It’s right there on Wikipedia and of course the Internet knows everything, right? Actually, Burns attached a note to his publisher stating that this was not his writing, but instead the words of an old Scottish folk song which he copied as an elderly man sang them. So, what’s the big deal about this song? Every December 31st, when the clock strikes twelve, we raise our glasses and chant these words. I remember this tradition from my youngest days, but never understood what they were talking about. We don’t sing it much at our house anymore, because we usually don’t stay up that late.

Born on January 25, 1759, Burns lived to the ripe old age of 37. He became the National Poet of Scotland. His experience watching his father try to reap his fortune through farming and eventually dying with nothing, was fodder for the way Robert looked at life. He was sarcastic about the social order of his time and his writing often reflected it. He took over as a tenant farmer after his father’s death. His writings would discuss the religious leaders of the day, the class situation and the inability of the working class to advance. During his life, he had several romantic encounters, producing a set of twins and another child born out of wedlock. Eventually he married the mother of his twin children. He transposed many old folk tales and songs into poetry and music. Auld Lang Syne is one of them.

Now that I know the history of the man and the origin of the song, I still don’t understand why we sing it every year on New Year’s Eve. The words are difficult as they are written with a Scottish flair. The updated English is a little better, but I’m including only the first verse and chorus so you will know what to sing tomorrow night. The title actually means, “old long since” which probably translates into the good old days. 

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and good old times?

[Chorus:]

For old times since, my dear, for good old times,

we’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for good old times.

I guess my translation of the song might go something like this:

The folks we’ve met and learned to love will never pass away,

We watch them grow and live full lives but soon will come the day,

When time will capture youth and age and evermore will know,

That life goes on as we persist through winds and rain and snow.

Friends old and new will never die, they live on in our soul,

We’ll treasure memories of their love and strive to set a goal,

To pass this way another day and trust in God’s control.

KATHY BOECHER – 2023