In the final scene of Nora Ephron's acclaimed 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally, the couple embrace as “Auld Lang Syne” begins to play. It's not long until Harry (Billy Crystal) starts pestering Sally (Meg Ryan) about the meaning of the song. “Should we forget our old acquaintances… Does that mean we should forget our old acquaintances or does it mean that if we forget them we should remember them?” inquires.
“Well, maybe that means we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway, it's about old friends,” Ryan answers.
For those who are not familiar with the song or movie, every New Year's Eve when the clock strikes midnight and the calendar flips to the next year, people around the world often join in the chorus of “Auld Lang Syne.”
If you're having trouble remembering lyrics — or even understanding them — you're probably not alone. Here's what to know about the famous tune.
Who wrote “Auld Lang Syne?”
The song was written centuries ago and contains some words we don't typically use in the United States today.
The words were recorded in a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, although he noted that the song It has already been in circulation for years before he wrote it.
While there are different stories about where the song originated, David Hobbs, director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Scotland, previously told the USA TODAY Network in 2014 that Burns adapted an earlier version written by Scottish poet Allan Ramsay. He said the museum displays Burns' “improved” version alongside Ramsay's version.
The song's rise to fame in North America was likely thanks to Guy Lombardo, whose orchestra played it on his radio and television shows every New Year's Eve from 1929 to 1977, Hobbs said.
What does “Auld Lang Syne” mean?
The phrase “auld lang syne” translates directly from Scots to modern English as “long ago”, but can practically be interpreted as “old times, especially fondly remembered times” or “an old or long friendship”, depending on The Verge website mentioned it. Dictionary.com.
If you feel teary and emotional while singing, it may not be just the champagne. Sentence evokes feelings of nostalgia, Especially for the memories of good times spent with friends.
The first lines of the song – “Should your old acquaintances be forgotten and never remembered?” – As a reminder to cherish those beautiful memories we already hadWhich makes the message appropriate for New Year's Eve.
Why do we kiss on New Year's Eve?The reasons behind the romantic moment
Lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne”.
Complete original lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne” It extends far beyond what is typically sung at New Year's Eve concerts in the United States, where only the first verse and chorus are usually sufficient. They are as follows:
Should old acquaintances be forgotten and never remembered? Should old acquaintances be forgotten and kept for a long time?
For Auld lang Syne, darling, for Auld lang Syne, we'll have a cup of kindness yet, for Auld lang Syne.
Contributing: Jay Cannon
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”