Auld Lang Syne: Meaning, Lyrics, and How to Celebrate
Auld Lang Syne: Meaning, Lyrics, and How to Celebrate
Auld Lang Syne, meaning ‘old long since’ in Scots dialect, is one of the most beloved songs worldwide, especially during New Year’s celebrations. Its simple yet profound message of friendship, memory, and renewal resonates across generations.
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What Does Auld Lang Syne Mean?
The phrase originates from Robert Burns’ 1788 poem adaptation, capturing the essence of reflecting on past years with warmth and humility. It’s not just a song—it’s a heartfelt farewell to old times and a hopeful embrace of new beginnings. In modern use, singing or sharing Auld Lang Syne symbolizes gratitude and connection, making it a powerful ritual at year-ends, graduations, and farewells.
The Traditional Lyrics in English
The song’s lyrics, preserved in Burns’ original and popularized by countless versions, carry timeless emotion:
Should auld friendship stop? Not now who ever wishes To break the old, good habit Of auld lang syne. We’ll drink and fill old vessels For auld lang syne. Though years have flown like river streams, And distance may divide us, The spirit of old times will remain— Let’s raise our glass anew.
*We’ve sang this song through countless nights, With fading voices soft and low, But though the years may dim the light, The bond remains, forever strong. No need to part with heart so true, Auld lang syne—let’s sing again.