Learn to Play 'Auld Lang Syne'

Lyrics and Guitar Tab for Auld Lang Syne

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The Beach Boys recorded "Auld Lang Syne" in 1964. Michael Ochs Archives | Getty Images

Roughly translated as "old long since", this traditional New Year's anthem is based on an 18th century Scottish poem by Robert Burns.

'Auld Lang Syne' Links

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A History of 'Auld Lang Syne'

The song was not originally intended to be used on New Year's Eve - it wasn't until Guy Lombardo included the song in his popular NYE radio show in New York City that it became associated with the holiday. Since that point, it quickly became the song played at the stroke of midnight every December 31st. Fans of the Beach Boys will know their great 1964 recording on the The Beach Boys' Christmas Album.

The melody currently used to sing "Auld Lang Syne" isn't actually the same tune Robert Burns wrote the lyrics for. According to Burns, "Auld Lang Syne" was "...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." Indeed, the song bears some resemblance to the earlier "Old Long Syne" by James Watson, believed to have been derived from that same "old song."

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'Auld Lang Syne' Lyrics

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.

We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.