How to Appreciate "Auld Lang Syne"

We sing it, we even mean it - but how many of us really know what it means?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Party Hats
• Gaelic Foreign Language Phrase Books
• Travel Guides To Scotland
• Champagne
• Champagne Glasses
• Airline Tickets To Scotland
• Singing Lessons

1. Do a little research on this song of friendship and salutation credited to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The song first appeared in print in 1796.
2. Sing it on Burns night (see Tips) and New Year's Eve.
3. Translate the words "auld lang syne" as "old long ago."
4. Substitute the word "auld" with "old" everywhere in the song.
5. Keep in mind that Burns transcribed the song from "an auld man's singing," to give you an idea of its colorful history.
6. Study Gaelic languages and literature.
7. Keep old acquaintances firmly in mind.

Tips & Warnings

• Burns night is the annual tribute to the life of the Scottish poet, born January 25, 1759. Celebrated around the world on or near the bard's birthday, Burns night suppers range from painfully formal to raucous unstructured shindigs where revelers share Scottish food, drink Scotch whisky and read works by, about and in the spirit of Robert Burns.
• Most people start and finish the song with the second stanza: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to min'? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?"