Auld Lang Syne, the second most sung song in the world - thanks to Freemasonry

In 1796 Scottish poet Robert Burns published a song that would become the second most sung song in the world, second only to “Happy Birthday to you”. Yet hardly anyone knows it as Burns wrote it.

Illustration to Robert Burns' poem Auld Lang Syne by J.M. Wright and Edward Scriven from c1840

In 1796 Scottish poet and songwriter, Robert Burns published a song that would become the second most sung song in the world, second only to “Happy Birthday to you”.

He had come across an old folk tune some years previous having heard a portion of it sung by an old man in the tavern. Burns transformed it, added new verses and refined it, referring to this composition of the traditional Scottish song as ‘That Glorious Fragment’. Little did he know the extent to which “Auld Lang Syne” (Old Long Since) would spread throughout the world.

Likely to have been first sung in either Poosie Nancy’s Tavern or in the Bachelor’s Club in Ayrshire, from there it spread North, East, South and West; far and wide and is now song by almost everyone worldwide as they say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new. A truly international song of departure.

Where did it come from?

Burns claimed that he learnt parts of the song from an old man in a pub and that it was from an older Scottish folk song. He undoubtedly adapted it however into the verses we now know.

There is a poem that George Bannatyne included in his well known manuscript of Scottish Poetry in 1568 entitled "Auld kindnes Foryett," which translated into more “modern” Scots "[Should] auld acquaintance [be] forgot”.

The same opening line can be found in another poem featured in Watson’s collection of Scottish poems published in 1711, entitled "Old Longsyne." and again in the Allan Ramsay’s "Tea Table Miscellany," published in 1724 entitled "Auld Lang Syne," beginning—

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Tho’ they return with scars?"

The first record of what we now know as Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” was in a letter to his friend Mrs Dunlop, dated December 17, 1788. Within he enclosed a copy saying, "There is an old song and tune which has often thrilled through my soul… Light lie the turf on the breast of the heaven-inspired poet who composed this glorious fragment!"

Manuscript of some of the verses from Auld Lang Syne in Burns’ handwriting

The Original Melody

In 1793, just 3 years prior to his death, Robert Burns sent a 20 page letter with comments on 74 songs to Edinburgh based editor George Thomson for inclusion in a musical anthology of Scottish songs incorporating a manuscript for “Auld Lang Syne”.

Manuscript as sent to Edinburgh based editor George Thomson for inclusion in his musical anthology of Scottish songs.

“One song more, & I have done - Auld Lang Syne. The air is but mediocre; but the following song, the old Song of the olden times, & which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript, untill I took it down from an old man's singing; is enough to recommend any air.” - Robert Burns

It would eventually be published by Thomson in his “A Select Collection of Original Scottish Airs for the Voice”, 3 years after Burns’ death, however he obviously agreed with Burns about the air being “mediocre” as it was set to a different tune - in fact the one that we sing across the world today.

Although personally I think I prefer the more traditional melody, seems to being out the meaning in the words a little more in my opinion.

The Masonic Connection

As with much of Burns’ work, it’s visibility and lasting popularity is in no small way thanks to Freemasonry, or more specifically Scottish Freemasonry.

The song became synonymous with the Craft after his death, and in particular at the Festival of St. John when it would be sung by Brethren as the close of the evening.

As Scots spread themselves across every corner of the globe, taking with them their customs. Auld Lang Syne soon became an expression of love for all mankind, international Brotherhood of men, all races, equality, democracy and liberty. All principles for which we as Freemasons stand.

And on to the masses

Whilst the singing of Auld Lang Syne at the conclusion of the evening at Masonic gathering certainly gave the song a solid foundation, it would be an individual Freemason that would expose it to the masses and transform it into the Universally acclaimed tune of modern times.

Bro. Guy Lombardo of London, Ontario in Canada claims to have first heard the song in his youth from Scottish immigrants in his hometown. When he formed an orchestra in 1919 “Auld Lang Syne” was adopted as their theme tune, and was played at the end of every concert or dance as the final song.

When “Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians” headlined a New Year’s Eve party in New York in 1929, naturally they finished with their theme tune, playing Auld Lang Syne just before midnight and then counting down the last 10 seconds of the old year.

It’s safe to say that with 55 million people listening to that broadcast the song had immediately reached and became popular with a much larger audience. Guy would go on to broadcast a New Years Eve party for almost 50 years and always finished with the favourite song of his childhood.

Today in Tokyo department stores play Auld Lang Syne over sound systems to let customers know the store will be closing. It is regularly played a public ceremonies in Russia, Korea, India and the Philippines; and was played as the body of Canadian Premier, Pierre Trudeau left parliament for the state funeral. Auld Lang Syne is now played and sung at all types of occasions in every corner of the world and translated into some 40 different languages.

A truly international anthem of the world that brings people of all creeds and colour together, joining hands in celebration. All this from the pen of a wee Scots Freemason from Ayrshire.

Lyrics, Chord Sheet and Meaning…

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to min’?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

(Note: The main message of this first verse is that we shouldn’t forget old friends)

Chorus: (Repeated after each verse)
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

(Note: the use of the term “my jo” versus the more standard “my dear” in the more popularised version)

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.

(Note: So let us raise a glass and toast to their memories)

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
sin' auld lang syne.

(Note: We used to play together, but we’ve grown up and gone our separate ways)

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin' auld lang syne.

(Note: As children we would paddle in the stream, but today we are separated figuratively by oceans)

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne.

(Note: So shake my hand my friend and let us drink to the memory of these days gone by)

Happy New Year 🥳 to you all when it comes!