by Dheer Kothari

Created on: January 04, 2010

WHY ‘AULD LANG SYNE’ ?

Some traditions are for keeps. They are too sweet and innocuous to be ignored or jettisoned. One such tradition which has not lost its charm and never fails to regale audiences, among English-speaking communities around the world, is the song Auld Lang Syne written by poet Robert Burns. It was first published in 1796 only after Burns’ death. It is believed that the original version existed prior to 1700. Burn is credited with the modern version of the old Scottish tune Auld Lang Syne which means “old long ago” or “the good old days”.

However, the song was truly immortalized by the Canadian musician Guy Lombardo. His Royal Canadian band’s performance at the Roosevelt Grill in New York City in 1929 became an American New Year tradition. “When the Grill closed, the band moved to the Waldorf Astoria, the site of the familiar New Year’s Eve television broadcasts,” according to the Encyclopedia. Even after his death in 1977, Auld Lang Syne is still played for North American audiences to herald the New Year.

Celebrations on the eve of New Year’s Eve are nothing short of hysterical. It is time to bid farewell to the year gone by and renew friendships, commitments and resolutions. Amid exchange of greetings, hugs and kisses people sway to the tune of Auld Lang Syne as if to say that they would always cherish relationships and bitter-sweet memories of even as they nourish hopes of a pleasant future full of promise and good fortune.

The song inspires us to value people we have befriended in our life so far and pay tributes and acknowledge their good deeds and raise a toast to their well-being even if they are not physically present to be a part of the revelry or have long since separated from us. Auld Lang Syne is a medium to rekindle and revive old connections which are an integral part of our existence and our upbringing.

On a more philosophical note, Auld Lang Syne is a reminder that life is all about hope and positivity. It provides the motivation to remain mentally strong even in adverse circumstances and be prepared to face challenges without dropping one’s guard. People sing to remind themselves and those around them that balance is the essence of life and that by remembering the good times and good old friends we can lead a purposeful life for ourselves, our community and the world at large. Life is a continual learning experience- building on our successes for a safe and secure future.

Sources: Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the article "Guy Lombardo".

Biography. © 2006 through a partnership of Corporation. All rights reserved.

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved. 

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