Auld Lang Syne~ What does that mean anyway?🤣

Should old acquaintance be forgot…

Dec 31, 2023

In the final scene of "When Harry Met Sally," Harry and Sally embrace as "Auld Lang Syne" starts to play. It's not long until Harry inquires about the meaning of the song. "Should old acquaintance be forgot … does that mean we should forget old acquaintances or does it mean if we happen to forget them we should remember them?"

To which Sally replies, "Well maybe it just means we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway it's about old friends."

So, what does it really mean?

Who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne?'

The song was written centuries ago and contains some words we wouldn’t use today.

The lyrics were recorded in a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, though he noted that the song had already been in circulation for years before he put it in writing.

There are a lot stories about where the song originated. David Hopes, the director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Scotland, indicated that Burns adapted an earlier version written down by Scottish poet Allan Ramsay. The museum displays Burns' "improved" version next to Ramsay's version. Hopes said, “The song's rise to fame in North America is likely thanks to Guy Lombardo, whose orchestra played it on his radio and TV shows each New Year's Eve from 1929 to 1977”

What does 'Auld Lang Syne' mean?

The phrase "auld lang syne" directly translates from Scots language to modern English as "old long since," but can be interpreted as old times, especially times fondly remembered or an old or long friendship.

If you feel yourself getting a little teary-eyed and sentimental while singing along, it might not just be the champagne. The phrase evokes feelings of nostalgia,especially to memories of good times spent with friends.

The first line of the song – "Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?" – serves as a reminder to cherish those fond memories that we've already had with dear friends, which makes the message a perfect fit for New Year's Eve night.🥂

Katherine Aaron

'Auld Lang Syne' lyrics

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne.

Chorus:
On old long syne my Jo,
On old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On old long syne.