Auld Lang Syne - Meaning

Subject: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Allan C.
Date: 22 Jul 99 - 07:36 AM

I am pretty sure we had a thread in which we discussed the meaning of "Auld Lang Syne". But I haven't been able to find it. Does anyone know where it is? Or, failing that, does anyone know what this means? Thanks.

Allan C. gettingaheadstartonthenewyear

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Mo
Date: 22 Jul 99 - 07:43 AM

The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" means - old long since or "when" or "time2 - I think - so I've always taken the song to be a celebration of friendships that have stood the test of time. Which is why it's sung at New Year - a time for remembering the past, celebrating the present and looking to the future!

Mo

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 06:16 AM

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 01:52 PM

Well-discussed in thread 16346: Auld lang syne and the other threads listed at the top of the page.

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 05:25 PM

Well discussed, but maybe a quick answer here will not be in vain.

'Auld lang syne' is literally 'old long since,' but that doesn't help unless you know that 'long since' means, more or less, 'the past.' You can't do word-for-word translations and capture meanings very easily, so here's commentary:

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?"

It's a rhetorical question:
"Do you think we should forget old friends and never remember them?
Do you think we should forget them, and the days gone by?"

Burns does the same sort of thing in "A Man's a Man" --

"Is there for honest poverty that hangs his head and a' that?
The coward slave, we pass him by -- we dare be poor for a' that."

"Is there anybody who, just because he's poor, hangs his head?
We walk past such a coward slave -- WE dare to be poor (we're poor and we're proud)"

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST,andy
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:22 AM

my understanding of the song seems to be different than others in this thread. it's about good times long gone and never to be re-lived and friends who have passed or will never be seen again. it's a remembrance and respectful but not a "happy tune". it's my belief that it's sung at new year's as a sort of tribute to those we hold dear and may never see again or past times that have meaning to us.

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:32 PM

well that clears that up...

sounded like Old Lang's Sighin' to me

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:30 PM

Literally 'old long since". Burns "collected" the song by modifying the words he heard being sung by an old guy in a pub. "MacPherson's Rant" and "Killiecrankie" come into the same category. I have a volume which even contains "the Carls o' Dysart" as being part of a Burns collection; I 'hae ma doots" about that one, though----

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Peace
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:34 PM

Good site here.

Auld Lang Syne = Former days and friends

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:55 PM

G'day GUEST,andy,

I take it, then , that you have only heard ... or understood ... the first verse and chorus commonly sung at New Year / farewells ... ?

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: Paul Burke
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 03:57 AM

Now for Auld Lang Cosyne, which is 90 degrees out of phase with Hogmanay.

Subject: RE: Auld Lang Syne - Meaning
From: GUEST,John Beckwith
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 10:56 PM

As a funeral home owner it only has one meaning; Good bye to those I loved so dearly,and you or your deeds will never be forgotten.