Auld Lang Syne

Ever wonder what that song was which everybody sang at the New Year ’s eve or at the end of your (once upon a time) boy scout jamboree? Or just marveled at this song’s presence all over the world, from Japan to France and Scotland to America? Well I did. So I set on a course in search of this song, its meaning and its roots. Apparently the song is called “Auld Lang Syne.” This is not so much as a song than it is a poem which literally means 'old time's sake' written by a Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in 1788.

Burns was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1756. His literary pieces are Scottish, light Scottish dialect or purely English in nature. He is regarded as “The Bard” of Scotland and declared “greatest Scot” by the famous television of Scotland STV.

His poems are symbol of celebration of life, romanticizing the mundane works. They show act of kindness, unite the people and call out the euphoria in them. Before dying at the age of 37 he gave the world poems like A bard’s epitaph, A fiddler in the north, A man’s a man for a’ that, A fond kiss, A bottle and a friend and greatest of all the 368 songs and poems collection is, Auld Lang Syne.

Burns writes,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Reading through these first few lines we can understand that he is referring to his fond friends from the past. He reminds us of the sweet memories of old friendship and the importance of kindness that we should show each other to accommodate our separate lives. And Instead of separate lives, he is asking his friend to share a cup just for the sake of old times.

And surely you’ll be your pint stowp!

And surely I’ll be mine!

We’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,

For auld lang syne

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.

Here the readers get more insight into the lives of two characters portrayed in the poem. The poet is indicating to the many disagreeable moments shared between them since the good moments that passed and their rift broadened like see during the course of time . But these lines also tell us of his efforts at smoothing out the rough edges of their relationship and trying to coax the friend into compromising mood. He also seems to be indicating to his friend that none of their trivial fights are worth consuming their beautiful friendship.

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.

And theres a hand my trusty fere!

And gie’s a hand o’thine!

And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,

For auld lang sine.

Using the metaphor “we twa hae paidl’d in the burn, Frae morning sun till dyne”, brings out more memories of paddling in the stream together. And finally, Burns is asking his friend to reunite hands and have draught as gesture of their reclaimed friendship that was ruined by the time like broadening sea.

As the people of Scotland spread, they took their literary treasures with them and sprinkled throughout the world. Ever since the time this poem is sung as the remainder of all good things people have and the necessity of hold hands and rejoicing the things we have.