Old Long Song - Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns sent a copy of the original song to the Scots Musical Museum with the remark, “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man".  Some of the lyrics were indeed "collected" rather than composed by the poet.  The ballad "Old Long Syne" printed in 1711 by James Watson’s “Old Song” as it is believed that Burns adapted Watson’s part and parcel of “Old Song” into his own writing.
There is some doubt as to whether the melody used today is the same one Burns originally intended, but it is widely known not only within the country of Scotland which was its origins but now throughout the rest of the world.
Singing the song on New Year's Eve very quickly became a Scots custom that soon spread to other parts of the British Isles.  As Scots, English, Welsh, and the Irish immigrated to various countries around the world.  As well, they brought the famous song with them.  Canadian big band leader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the use of the song at New Year’s as his first annual broadcast took place in 1929 on radio as well as television.  In addition to his live broadcasts, Lombardo recorded the song more than once.  His first recording was in 1939 of the song with his big band called the “Royal Canadians” on Decca Records.
The song begins with a sincere rhetorical manner the question as to whether it is right that old times being forgotten, and is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships.

James Watson's Original - Old Long Song (Syne)

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
And never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
And fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold?
That loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On Old long syne.

On Old long syne my Jo,
In Old long syne,
That thou canst never once reflect,
On Old long syne.
My Heart is ravisht with delight,
When thee I think upon;
All Grief and Sorrow takes the flight,
And speedily is gone;
The bright resemblance of thy Face,
So fills this, Heart of mine;
That Force nor Fate can me displease,
For Old long syne.

Since thoughts of thee doth banish grief,
When from thee I am gone;
Will not thy presence yield relief,
To this sad Heart of mine:
Why doth thy presence me defeat,
With excellence divine?
Especially when I reflect
On Old long syne

Robert Burns Version – Auld Lang Syne

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

For auld lang syne, my Jo (or my dear),
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll take 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 fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’d I' 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 gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

 

Now a song which is known so well throughout the English speaking world James Watson as well as Robert Burns took words which came from Scotland and to this very day in most every country within the world during New Years Eve and with the bringing in of the New Year billions sing, dance, and listen to this song. 

It’s not new but it goes hand in hand with New Years as we know it.