Why we sing Auld Lang Syne on New Year’s Eve and what the lyrics really mean

It’s the very first thing you’ll sing in 2025 – but why do we return to an old Scottish folk song every New Year?

Auld Lang Syne has become a New Year tradition for as long as any of us can really remember, but what is it about this song’s lyrics – which have no reference to New Year at all – which has made it such a January 1 mainstay?

Auld Lang Syne is actually an excerpt from a much longer work by Scottish poet Robert Burns, published in 1778, although he himself based it on an old folk song.

Auld Lang Syne means ‘old long since’ or ‘old times’, so the phrase ‘Auld Lang Syne’ means ‘for old time’s sake’ in old (auld) Scottish diaspora.

It was first sung at Scottish celebration Hogmanay in Scotland but became popular throughout Britain due to beliefs about warding off bad omens.

Lauren Stephenson, Curatorial Officer at The Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, explains:  “The era was one full of superstitions and the Victorians believed that warding off evil spirits was vital to ensure their year was full of prosperity and good health.

“On New Years Eve in the 1800’s, the streets of towns like Blists Hill would have been filled with the sound of drums as young men partook in the ancient practice of ‘wassailing’ [an Old Saxon word for ‘good health’] wandering around the town making noise to ward off spirits. Church bells would also have rung out across the Shropshire at the strike of midnight to chase away evil.”

Auld Lang Syne became popular for New Year in modern times too, because it is a reflection on old times past, which is what we all tend to do at the end of the year, taking stock of what’s gone before.

The song of course originated in Scotland, with Scottish immigrants taking the tune to America in the 1800s, which is why it’s just as universal in the USA as it is in the UK.

It was especially popularised stateside when Canadian singer Guy Lombardo performed it at New York’s Roosevelt Hotel on New Year’s Eve way back in 1929, which was broadcast on radios across the USA at the time.

Auld Lang Syne Lyrics in full: 

First verse:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne? 

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne. 

Second verse:
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne. 

Chorus 

Third verse:
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne. 

Chorus 

Fourth verse:
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin’ auld lang syne. 

Chorus

Fifth verse:
And there’s a hand,
my trusty fiere!
and gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willie waught
for auld lang syne.