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The Poetry Nook

“Auld Lang Syne” How a Scottish Poet and a Canadian Bandleader Found Their Way into America’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations 

2020 has officially come to a close, and not moment too soon. We gathered together (safely in our homes with our immediately family, of course) to say farewell to this challenging year, toasting bygones, and moving on. When the clock struck midnight, you most likely heard those familiar horns start playing “Auld Lang Syne” with Guy Lombardo’s velvety smooth voice joining along. Ah, nothing quite stokes your nostalgia like that New Year’s staple. And, although the song is such a part of popular culture, a part of our collective New Years’ experience, few of us know how it got to be the touchstone that is. 

Many are familiar with the first few lines of the song, but end up scratching their heads over just what auld lang syne means. Just look across the room at any New Year’s Eve gathering. Festive goers will be raising their drinks in toast, their other arm thrown around the person nearest. They will sway back and forth, singing along at the top of their lungs. Now, look carefully at their mouths. Are they really matching the words or is just gibberish coming out at top volume? My money will be on the later.

This question of just what the heck it means is even covered in the famous scene at the end of the movie When Harry Met Sally where Billy Crystal’s character ruminates over its meaning. Should we forget our old friends? Or, should we remember them? Are they already forgotten? 

Here are the third and fourth verses with the English translation provided in parentheses by The Independent out of London: 

We twa hae run about the braes (We two have run about the slopes) 

And pu’d the gowans fine  (and picked the daisies fine;) 

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit (But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,) 

Sin days of auld lang syne  (since auld lang syne.) 

 

We twa hae paidl’d i‘ the burn (We two have paddled in the stream,) 

Frae morning sun till dine (from morning sun till dine;)  

But seas between us braid hae roar’d (But seas between us broad have roared) 

Sin days of auld lang syne  (since auld lang syne.) 

It’s no wonder then that most modern bands stick to the first couple of verses.

The song, largely attributed to being the creation of Scottish poet Robert Burns, was first made popular during his native land’s holiday of Hogmanay – the Scottish version of New Year’s Eve. Written just shy of the 1800s, Burns’ rendition of a popular folk song quickly became the song to sing at Hogmanay festivities. 

Over a hundred years later, in the 1920s, “Auld Lang Syne” immigrated across the Atlantic along with the Scottish. A Canadian band leader, Guy Lombardo, popularized the song at New Year’s Eve festivities in Ontario. One of the reasons his band became known for playing the song “is because Auld Lang Syne is our theme song-and was long before anyone ever heard us on the radio. In our particular part of western Ontario, where there’s a large Scottish population, it was traditional for bands to end every dance with Auld Lang Syne. We didn’t think it was known here. When we left Canada we had no idea we’d every play it again.” 

But, play it again they did. When the band had their first New Year’s Eve show played on the radio in 1929 that “Auld Lang Syne” went from a Scottish holiday mainstay to the song to ring in the new year around the world.  Mr. New Year, and Lombardo was referred to, went on hosting his New Year’s Eve show for the next 40 years, ending every one with “Auld Lang Syne.” 

So, let’s take a cue from Mr. New Year himself and spend a moment reflecting on the past year for old time’s sake. Here’s hoping that 2021 fills up cups with kindness. Cheers! 

Writing Prompt 

For this month’s writing prompt, let’s take a moment to reflect on what has happened in the past 365 days. What will you remember (maybe even with fondness) and what will you happily leave behind?

Now take those memories and write a goodbye letter to 2020. Whether that means you are letting them down gently, or laying it all out in the open is completely up to you.

When you’re done, I’d love to read your work. You can send it to me at nmagola@mytpl.org. Happy writing!

Recommended Books and Music

References

– Naomi Hurtienne Magola, Youth Services Librarian

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