Auld Lang Syne

by Jessica Furui

One of those songs that gives you the chills even though you may not know the meaning of the words.  A song so old that generations and centuries of those chills from others have somehow attached themselves to each and every bend in the melody. One of those songs that you can sing along to even though you’re unsure of the actual lyrics. A song that connects you to all those that have sung it before. It was a song that I’d heard here and there throughout my childhood. I remember people coming together for that short moment in time where the only thing that existed was that moment. A time to honor what ever it is that you needed to honor. A moment when we were all on the same level. A beautiful shared experience when there was for a moment peace. Folks hugging, arms wrapped around one another, solemn stances, kisses, embraces, tears, remembrances, handshakes.  

Sung in nearly every language all over the world. Sometimes its sung to honor the end of a year and celebrate the beginning of a new one, at a memorial or funeral to grace the remembrances of a loved one or at a graduation to recognize the work done over the course of studies. 

One of my favorite memories of this song was when it was taught to me by a summer camp counselor visiting from Slovakia. I think her name was Michaela. I wrote down all the words in this beautiful foreign language and memorized the song for us to sing at the last night of camp. Through the words and melody of this ancient song, we came together for a unique and lasting memory. We had made copies of the words both in Slovakian and English and passed it out to the other campers and we sang it together. 

Most recently, after I’d decided to write this blog piece about Auld Lang Syne, it was the song we sang at the strike of midnight to celebrate the New Year. An evening of joyous banter and dancing was immediately calmed into a solemn moment. Complete with tears, hugs, embraces, handshakes and remembrances. 

According to a recent article on Mental Floss, the mainstream use of the song for New Years celebration came in 1929 (or 1930) after bandleader Guy Lombardo directed his band to play the song during a transition break which was also played live over radio and television airwaves. They were performing live in New York City at the Roosevelt Hotel and the song has been synonymous with the New Year celebration ever since.

Historians say that the song, originally a poem, was “taken down from an old man” by Robert Burns and sent to a friend, James Johnson, in 1788. It was later published in 1796 with other Scottish songs, sadly after the passing of Burns. 

Countless incarnations of the song/poem have existed throughout the centuries. And it warms my heart that the simplicity and loveliness of the song can still find a home in our modern, sometimes sterile, lives. 

Melody closer to its Scottish roots. Skip to 1:37 for music.