Why do people sing "Old Lang Syne" at New Year's when it's so sad?

Question

Anyone know where the tradition for that particular song started?

Answer 1

The song's name is in Scots, and may be translated literally as 'old long since', or more idiomatically 'long ago', or 'days gone by'. In Scots Syne is pronounced like the English word sign

"Auld Lang Syne" is a poem by Robert Burns, although a similar poem by Robert Ayton (1570-1638), not to mention even older folk songs, use the same phrase, and may well have inspired Burns. Robert Burns forwarded a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum with the remark, “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man's singing, is enough to recommend any air.” At the time it was very fashionable to claim that one's own work was "traditional" and one should probably take Burns' statement with a pinch of salt, and even if some lines of the lyrics were indeed "collected" rather than composed by the poet, it is a fair supposition to attribute the poem as a whole to Burns himself.

Singing the song on Hogmanay or New Year’s Day very quickly became a Scots custom, which soon spread to other parts of the British Isles. As Scots (not to mention other Britons) emigrated around the world, they took the song with them.

Bandleader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the use of the song at New Year’s celebrations in America, through his annual broadcasts on radio and TV, beginning in 1929. However, he most certainly did not invent or first introduce the custom, even there.

Answer 2

I had always heard that it was about raising a toast to those we have loved and hope to see again in the New Year. Here is the research on the details:


Auld Lang Syne means "old long since'' and is adapted from a traditional Scottish folk tune. The basic words date to at least 1711, though some scholars say it was mentioned as early as 1677. Scottish poet Robert Burns is credited with first publishing it, in the mid-1790s, and, researchers say, smoothing out some of the verses and changing the melody.

The song recalls the days gone by and says we will always remember them. "Should auld acquaintance be forgot?'' it asks. No, the chorus replies: "For auld lang syne (for times gone by), we'll tak (drink) a cup o' kindness yet.''

As for the other lyrics, Verse 2 refers to friends at separate places (or pubs), drinking to each other. Verses 3 and 4 talk about a long journey to find that friend, running " about the braes '' (hillsides), and " pou'd the gowans fine '' (pulled the pretty daisies), and getting tired doing so (" wander'd mony a weary fit,'' or " a weary foot '' depending on the version). It continues with wading streams (" paidl'd in the burn ''), from dusk until dinnertime, but even then, broad (" braid '') seas roar between them.

But finally, in the last verse, the friends find each other. And they " tak a right guid-willie waugh t'' (" drink a goodwill drink '') for times gone by.

It wasn't Burns, however, who turned this misty-eyed tune into a New Year's tradition. That would be Guy Lombardo, who first heard the song in his youth from Scottish immigrants in his hometown of London, Ontario.



And even though people aren't sure what it means, it sounds sad and soothing at once. It's a song about loss, but also about love -- a hope that you'll see the same people you love next year.


Here is an old Scots version of Auld Lang Syne:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And days of auld lang syne?

Chorus (repeated between stanzas):

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stoop

And surely I'll be mine

And 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 foot

Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn

Frae mornin' sun till dine

But seas between us braid hae roared

Sin' auld lang syne.

And here's a hand, my trusty fiere

And gi'e's a hand o' thine

And we'll tak a right good willy waught

Answer 3

I believe that Auld Lang Syne is sung on New Year's Eve because the song is about not forgetting the things and people of the past (the old year, ending) while still embracing the idea that change will happen (the new year, beginning).

Answer 4

Old Lang Syne was written by the long dead very famous classic Scots poet, Robert Burns. Being a fine poet, he could certainly wax nostalgic, especially at the time of the New Year which is if anything rather better celebrated in Scotland than Christmas. What could be more nostalgic than gathered together with friends and loved ones remembering back at all the things that have come and gone over past years, as you welcome in the New Year just beginning, wondering what it will prove to bring. I am sure a lot of people remember New Years that they shared in the company of loved ones no longer with them, and wonder, perhaps, for a moment or two, as they look around them to left and right, which of the people here tonight, might not be present this time next year.
I think nothing invokes those kind of thoughts and memories - happy and sad alike - quite like the moment, each year, when we say our final farewell to the one just about to disappear, never to return, and say hello to the one we are about to live with for the next twelve months.
Here's to Robbie Burns, for capturing the nostalgic moment for us in his now so famous lines..

Answer 5

It's actually Auld Lang Syne and it's not a sad song at all. It's an old scottish song and it's about not forgetting the old times )or something similar)

Answer 6

Actually It's "Ald Lang Syne". I don't know where the tradition started, but I know it's a song. We played it in our band.

Answer 7

right this is a version with a thesaurus. "Auld lang syne" potential "the days of long because" or "the days of a few time past". ought to auld acquaintance be forgot, and not in any respect dropped at ideas? ought to auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne? refrain: For auld lang syne, my costly, For auld lang syne, we will tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! And actually ye'll be your pint-stowp, And actually i'm going to be mine, And we will tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne! We twa hae run in regards to the braes, And pou'd the gowans fantastic, yet we've wander'd monie a weary greater healthful, Sin auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl'd interior the burn Frae morning solar till finally dine, yet seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne. and there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine, And we will tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne Meanings auld lang syne - circumstances long handed via be - pay for braes - hills braid - huge burn - flow dine - meal time fiere - buddy greater healthful - foot gowans - daisies guid-willie waught - goodwill drink monie - many morning solar - midday paidl't - paddled pint-stowp - pint tankard pou'd - pulled twa - 2

Answer 8

I don't know where it originated right off the top of my head, but they sing it because sometimes remembering can be a little bit sad, when you saying goodbye to the old year and saying hello to the new...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year by the way...I hope you don't take offense at that..

Answer 9

They sing it because it is sad to see the old year gone.

Answer 10

idk
Good Luck!
Happy Holidays!!!
~Santa's Personal Shopper~