Auld Lang Syne (Arr. Riley)

This is a traditional Scottish song commonly sung when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve and other festive occasions. The problem is, hardly anyone knows the words, just, "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot… for the sake of Auld Lang Syne."

Robert Burns is a poet who restored this song based on fragments of an old ballad dating from before his time. It appears he added a few verses to the song. The most compelling evidence is demonstrated in a letter from Burns to Mrs. Agnes Dunlop in which he comments: "Light be the turf on breast of the heaven-inspired poet who composed this glorious fragment! There is more of the fire of native genius in it than in half a dozen of modern English Bacchanalians" In this statement, Robert Burns was confirming that someone else had written this, but the original words had been lost over time. His reference to "Light be the turf" means the turf lying upon the writers grave. The "glorious fragment" confirms that Burns had taken the only known verses and added to them. His praise of the unknown writers talent demonstrates Burns great admiration for the words. On this basis, it has been concluded that Burns wrote at least two verses, which have been attributed to his style (Verses 3 and 4). The other verses and the famous chorus are believed to have dated from the middle of the 16th century, if not before.

This simple five-verse poem is best summed up in one single verse, which is usually sung in the famous shortened version of the piece. Whether Burns himself wrote these lines cannot be proven: Should old acquaintances be forgot And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot And days of auld lang syne? (thanks, Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington - for all above)