AULD LANG SYNE: SING ALONG
Robert Burns/Guy Lombardo


It started here in London, Ontario.  This song was written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in the late 18th century.  Burns wrote his poetry and song lyrics in the "Scots dialect" of his day.  Originally, the song was not connected particularly to New Year's Eve.  It was Guy Lombardo and his "big band," the Royal Canadians, who, during the 1920's, began the tradition of singing this song at the stroke of midnight on December 31st.  Guy Lombardo--along with his brothers who also played in the band--was born and raised here in London.  He lived in a house at the corner of Horton and Richmond Streets where the Labatt's Brewery now stands.  In fact, there is a Guy Lombardo Museum on Wonderland Road which was built to honour him and his fellow musicians of the Big Band Era.

Auld lang syne means "old long ago."  What do the other lines mean?  Try to "translate" them from old Scots into modern English.  Use a dictionary if you need to.


Should auld acquaintance be forgot 	
And never bro't to mind  	
Should auld acquaintance be forgot 	
And days of auld lang syne?  	

For auld lang syne, my dear  	
For auld lang syne,  	
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,  	
For auld lang syne.  	

And here's a hand, my trusty friend,  	
And gie's a hand o' thine,  	
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,  	
For auld lang syne.  	

For auld lang syne, my dear  	
For auld lang syne,  	
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,  	
For auld lang syne.