The Story Behind ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and Why We Sing It Every New Year’s Eve

Billy Crystal (left) and Meg Ryan in ‘When Harry Met Sally.’
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NEED TO KNOW

• “Auld Lang Syne” is sung worldwide during New Year’s celebrations.
• The iconic song was penned by Robert Burns and has roots in Scotland.
• It has been covered by numerous artists across genres and included in various films.

As midnight approaches on New Year’s Eve, many can expect to hear the evocative melody of “Auld Lang Syne.” In the beloved romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, the characters portrayed by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan find themselves among a crowd singing the song. Harry asks Sally for its meaning, and she responds, “Anyway, it’s about old friends.” While she was partially correct, the song encompasses more than just friendships.

The lyrics as we know them today were crafted by Robert Burns in the 1780s, though he noted that it was an older tune he aimed to document. Burns frequently altered the lyrics of the traditional songs he collected.

According to Scotland.org, the phrase “auld lang syne” translates to “for old times’ sake,” emphasizing the song’s themes of nostalgia and the importance of cherishing old friendships. The song reflects on “times gone by,” as noted by The Morgan Library.

Sheet music of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ circa 1900.

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The original lyrics were penned in Scots. As Scottish communities shared the song across the British Isles and into North America, they were translated into English. The melody most commonly associated with “Auld Lang Syne” was set in 1799.

In Scotland, the tradition of singing “Auld Lang Syne” on Hogmanay, the Scottish term for New Year’s, involves participants forming a circle, holding hands. As the final verse concludes, they cross their arms and rush towards the center.

Scottish poet Michael Pedersen described the song’s significance, stating, “For generations, it’s been sung at New Year because it’s perfect for it. There’s nothing in the song that dictates it should be sung then. People just had an emotional compass for it. They gathered outside town halls and sang it, and it drifted — like a great, beautiful glacier of song — into that New Year position.”

People celebrating New Year’s (stock photo).

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In the United States and Canada, the association of “Auld Lang Syne” with New Year’s also gained momentum through bandleader Guy Lombardo. His annual New Year’s Eve broadcasts popularized the song, and he was dubbed “Mr. New Year’s Eve.” From 1929 until 1976, Lombardo included the song in his performances, and his version is traditionally played in Times Square as the clock strikes midnight.

Although primarily linked to New Year’s, “Auld Lang Syne” is also played at graduations, retirements, funerals, and other events marking transitions. In Scotland, it is often sung at weddings, highlighting its role in celebrations of new beginnings.

Burns scholar Thomas Keith pointed out that “Auld Lang Syne” embodies themes of reunion rather than mere reflection on the past. “It’s not just about the days gone by, but of coming back together,” he stated, emphasizing the profound nature of the song filled with both melody and lyric.

The song has maintained a strong presence in popular culture, covered by a variety of artists, including Mariah Carey, Kenny G, Sufjan Stevens, The Beach Boys, Phish, B.B. King, Billy Idol, and even Jimi Hendrix.

In addition to its feature in When Harry Met Sally, “Auld Lang Syne” has been included in well-known films like It’s a Wonderful Life, The Apartment, Forrest Gump, Iron Man 3, Carol, and Phantom Thread. It has even inspired Dan Fogelberg’s 1980 song “Same Old Lang Syne.”

Today, major New Year’s celebrations frequently feature “Auld Lang Syne,” a testament to its enduring appeal. The song has been translated into multiple languages and continues to resonate well beyond English-speaking regions.