A very happy new year from the writers of The Music Court. In May we started this blog with minimal expectation, only wanting to bring a little musical joy to everyone out there. Today, we have a loyal flock of readers and we want to thank each and every one of you personally. We promise to continue to bring great content to the blogosphere in the year 2010. So, as the clock strikes 12:00 A.M, wherever you are in the world, pop the champagne and sing “Auld Lang Syne,” hopefully now knowing what the song means.
“Auld Lang Syne.” You have heard of it before and have definitely heard more than one version. Personally I became accustomed to the Kenny G version. It is the classic new year’s song and if you are questioning how it goes watch this:
It all is coming back to you now, right? Good, now ever wonder where it came from. Did you know the song has lyrics? Auld Lang Syne is believed to be a poem written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. This is pretty funny to an English major who has taken British Literature because Burns, the national poet of Scotland, also wrote a poem called “To A Mouse” which inspired the title of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.” I always thought Burns’ poetry was kind of funny, so in seeing that he wrote this makes me kind of laugh too. Yet, the lyrics of this song are often forgotten. So, is the meaning of Auld Lang Syne which is kind of necessary when singing it.
Auld Lang Syne, literally means “Old Long Since,” yet, in order for it to make sense, it is easier to say “Long Long Ago.” Or, more modern, “For Old Time’s Sake.” The song basically calls to people to remember friendships. The content makes it the perfect New Years song. The Scots, being smart, started using this as their new years song and others quickly followed suit.
How did the song become popular in the United States? Credit band-leader Guy Lombardo whose playing of the song on new year’s eve popularized it in America.
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