Auld Lang Syne

December 27

Happy Holidays!

Just a short little post today. The new year is creeping up (and is about to pounce); I’ve been thinking about “Auld Lang Syne” – that song we sing at midnight. Clearly, it’s not English, so why does everyone sing it? And what the heck does it mean?

In true English form (i.e. English thieving language and assuming it as its own), the song became assimilated more than 200 years ago. People foist the blame on the Scottish poet Robert Burns, but he just wrote down the words. The song seems to have been in existence for some time before Burns, as he describes it as an “old song”. In any case, it became popular throughout the British Isles, and then it spread as people emigrated.

Where I live, we usually just sing the first verse and the chorus, as the bits of Scottish Gaelic [N.B. No Gaelic here: see comments] is a little foreign to our tongues but the first part is easy enough. Wikipedia suggests that “for auld lang syne” translates as something like “for days gone by”, a strongly nostalgic sentiment for most people by the time a few bottles are gone and midnight rolls around. Scotland.org gives a full translation of the song (there are 5 verses, for those of you who are Scottish and/or of nimble tongue).

You can find recordings of the song with a simple internet search, or you can check out this YouTube video (Dougie MacLean’s version) that has the lyrics printed on the screen.

Dougie MacLean, Robert Burns, what does auld lang syne mean?, YouTube

Comments

Terry Doherty December 29, 2011 12:03 am I’m sorry to have to pick you up, but there is not a word of Gaelic in the song! The bits which seem so different from English are from Lallans, also known as Lowland Scots. When I was a lad we were all bilingual in an uncomfortable way as the Scots we spoke outside the classroom was banned inside it. We were told to “speak properly”. As a result the tongue is often seen as little more than a slang form of English rather than a language in its own right, even by those who speak it to a greater or lesser extent every day. I myself didn’t realise quite how many of the words and phrases I use every day were peculiarly Scots until I moved to London at the age of 21. Lallans developed largely separately but from the same medieval English as modern English did and as a result they are very close but with a few important differences. A more literal translation of auld lang syne would be ‘old long since’, so the meaning you give is close enough. I would normally resist being so pedantic about such things but one of the things I admire most about this website is the love of the proper use and understanding of language. I hope you all have a grand Hogmany and wish you all the best for the new year! Reply »

sheila January 2, 2012 03:24 pm Oh, but we love pedants here! That’s how we learn! Thanks for setting us straight. Was disappointed to hear about the “speak properly”, though. Sad that we might lose another dialect to the highbrows…. Reply »

Rafli March 26, 2012 04:40 pm K. Elizabeth – Okay, so Nate you don’t know me, but I know your darling Luisa and i think she’s miazang. I just have to tell you, I know a lot of people that call themselves photographers because they have a fancy camera and they take pretty cool pictures sometimes. I was kind of over the whole, “I’m a photographer” thing a while back, but every time I look at your web-site I am amazed at your talent. It’s more than just saying, “I’m a photographer.” You really have an incredible talent and it shows. Thanks so much for sharing your art and gift. I look forward to more pictures! Reply »

Tetris March 29, 2012 04:15 am Ken and Jen Perkes – Luisa: Those pictures are GREAT! All of them. I love the look of sspirrue on your face in the first picture . . . and your pre-wipeout picture is pretty fun too. But, honestly, you look great on the board! And Nate . . . my word!!! I can’t believe his air pictures! There is one I really love [the second one]. Great shot!Also, the one of Jake and Gracie is really cool!But, being a grandpa, perhaps my favorite is you and the kiddies! Very sweet.Most of all, it is just fun to see you all having fun! Thanks for sharing! Dad Reply »

Una February 14, 2012 10:47 pm Dinnae worry aboot it, lassie. Naebody’s gang tae lose their pater. Reply »

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I'm Sheila van den Heuvel-Collins. Currently, I am the primary blog writer. Please feel free to contribute writing tips and ideas by commenting on the blog entries.

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Auld Lang Syne

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