Sing Auld Lang Syne with Mariah Carey!

This is the most well-known song to be sung at midnight on Dec. 31st, about looking back over the events of the year and remembering friends. Here is a festive version sung by Mariah Carey. Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well-known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, where it is traditionally sung by people on the stroke of midnight each New Year’s Eve. It is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions.

The song actually has five verses. Most people only know the first verse and the chorus. It has long been a much-loved Scottish tradition to sing the song just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Everyone stands in a circle holding hands, then at the beginning of the final verse they cross their arms across their bodies so that their left hand is holding the hand of the person on their right, and their right hand holds that of the person on their left. When the song ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands.

From old Scottish dialect, the Meaning of "Auld" is "Old" and the meaning of "Lang Syne" is "Long Since". The phrase "auld lang syne" means "old times sake” or "times gone by", and the song is about looking back over the events of the year, remembering friends from the past.

The melody is also widely used for other words, especially the songs of sporting and other clubs, and even national anthems. You may know the French version, Ce n'est qu'un au revoir or Choral des Adieux.

Over the years, Auld Lang Syne has taken on a life of its own as musicians adapt the traditional New Year's song. This version, by Mariah Carey, is a faster one than usual, with only the first verse and the chorus, and with a Happy New Year touch.

Happy New Year everybody!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’t in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye’ll be your pint’ stoup,
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Times gone by

Should old acquaintances be forgotten, 
And never brought to mind? 
Should old acquaintances be forgotten, 
And days of long ago!

Chorus: 
For times gone by, my dear 
For times gone by,
We will take a cup of kindness yet 
For times gone by.

We two have run about the hillsides 
And pulled the daisies fine, 
But we have wandered many a weary foot 
For times gone by.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream 
From noon until dinner time, 
But seas between us broad have roared 
Since times gone by.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend, 
And give us a hand of yours, 
And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale) 
For times gone by!

And surely you will pay for your pint, 
And surely I will pay for mine! 
And we will take a cup of kindness yet 
For times gone by!