Have you ever found yourself reciting the lyrics to a song, only to realize you were singing them all wrong? It can be especially difficult when most people don't know the lyrics.
Every New Year's Eve, as the clock strikes 12, thousands of people world jumble up the words of "Auld Lang Syne," the Scottish tune which means "time gone by." But revelers should not despair, a study conducted by British supermarket chain Sainsbury found that just 7 percent of Scots know the lyrics to the song written by poet Robert Burns in 1788.
In Scotland, people traditionally stand in a circle holding hands just before midnight. At the start of the final verse—which says, "And there's a hand, my trusty friend!"—everyone crosses their arms across their bodies so that their left hand is holding the hand of the person on their right and vice versa.
The song became popular in North America after bandleader Guy Lombardo's orchestra played it on his radio and TV shows each New Year's Eve from 1929 to 1977, David Hopes, the director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, told USA Today in 2014.
It has appeared in many films throughout the years. "Auld Lang Syne" has been featured in It's a Wonderful Life, When Harry Met Sally and Sex and the City: The Movie.
Newsweek has put together the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne" so you can also sing along.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And never brought to mind?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And auld lang syne. [Chorus]For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak 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 tak a cup o'kindness yet,For auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,For auld lang syne. We twa hae run about the braesAnd pu'd the gowans fineBut we've wander'd mony a weary footSin auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl'd i' the burnFrae mornin' sun till dine.But seas between us braid hae roar'dSin auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For 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 willy waught,For auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. Should old acquaintance be forgotAnd never brought to mind?Should old acquaintance be forgot,And long, long ago. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. And for long, long ago, my dearFor long, long ago.We'll take a cup of kindness yetFor long, long ago.And surely you'll buy your pint-jug!And surely I'll buy mine!And we'll take a cup of kindness yetFor long, long ago. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. We two have run about the hillsAnd pulled the daisies fine;But we've wandered manys the weary footSince long, long ago. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. We two have paddled in the stream,From morning sun till dine;But seas between us broad have roaredSing long, long ago. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne. And there's a hand, my trusty friend!And give us a hand of yours!And we'll take a deep draught of good-willFor long, long ago. For auld lang syne, my jo,For auld lang syne.We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,For auld lang syne.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Nicole Rojas is a Breaking News Reporter for Newsweek. Nicole previously worked at International Business Times UK, where she covered breaking ... Read more
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