Auld Lang Syne – 5-Minute History

“Auld Lang Syne” means “old long since”, “long long ago”, “days gone by”, or “old times”.

Written by Robert Burns in 1788, it is a Scots poem set to folk music and traditionally sung at the conclusion of New Year gatherings in Scotland and around the world.

Let us contemplate the “old times” together with a hauntingly beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne and a collection of historical paintings and drawings.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Robert Burns

John Masey Wright and John Rogers' c. 1841 illustration of Auld Lang Syne. — John Masey Wright and John Rogers’ c. 1841 illustration of Auld Lang Syne.

The Auld Farmer's New Year's Gift to His Auld Mare Maggie by Richard Ansdell - 1851. — The Auld Farmer’s New Year’s Gift to His Auld Mare Maggie by Richard Ansdell – 1851.

New Year's Eve at Grandfather's by Friedrich Ortlieb - 1873 — New Year’s Eve at Grandfather’s by Friedrich Ortlieb – 1873

Auld Lang Syne by Sir John Watson Gordon, 1851

New Year's Eve at the Savoy Restaurant in the Savoy Hotel. Scene from The Illustrated London News, 1907. — New Year’s Eve at the Savoy Restaurant in the Savoy Hotel. Scene from The Illustrated London News, 1907.

New Year's Day in New Amsterdam by George Henry Boughton - 1870 — New Year’s Day in New Amsterdam by George Henry Boughton – 1870

Waiting for Calls on New-Year's Day by Winslow Homer, 1869. — Waiting for Calls on New-Year’s Day by Winslow Homer, 1869.

The New Year's Day Parade by Cornelius Krieghoff - 1871 — The New Year’s Day Parade by Cornelius Krieghoff – 1871

New Year's Morning by Henry Mosler, 1888 — New Year’s Morning by Henry Mosler, 1888

A New Year's Nocturne, New York by Frederick Childe Hassam - 1892 — A New Year’s Nocturne, New York by Frederick Childe Hassam – 1892

Old and New Year. Cover of the Calendar for 1905 by Konstantin Somov - 1904 — Old and New Year. Cover of the Calendar for 1905 by Konstantin Somov – 1904

A New Year. A fresh start. New Beginnings.

Make history this new year.

Happy New Year!