I still think it would be interesting if Dan Courtney's age could be established.

btw, digressing more than somewhat, the origial 'Auld Lang Syne' was written, not by Burns, but by Scots poet Allan Ramsay (1684-1758). Burns was born in 1759!

Ramsay's original 'ALS' was included in volume 1 of 'The Scots Musical Museum' (1788), when Burns would have been aged 29. Burns contributed numerous of his original works to the SMM and these are all credited to him. ALS is attributed to Ramsay. Burns was involved in the production of the SMM and must surely have agreed with said attribution. Below is the first verse of Ramsay's 5 verse work.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Tho' they return with fcars [scars],
Thefe [these] are the noble hero's lot,
Obtain'd in glorious wars:
Welcome my Varo [sic] to my breaft [breast],
Thine arms about me twine,
And make me once again as bleft [blessed],
As I was in auld land fyne [syne].

It's just occurred to as I type this that in Burns' version, he is often praised for his use of the word 'thine' ('and gie's a hand o' thine') for juxtaposing the sacred (biblical 'thine') and the profane, or something like that. But as can be seen, he cribbed it from Ramsay! Generally tho, Burns was essentially honest and usually gave credit where credit was due.