“Auld Lang Syne” is a popular song sung by people around the world at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Originally written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, the song has become a New Year’s staple, especially in the U.S. where it was popularized by bandleader Guy Lombardo in 1929. The song’s English translation, “For Old Time’s Sake,” poses a question on how to remember old friends and experiences of the past year, with a message of letting go of resentments and sharing kindness. Despite having three verses, only the first verse and chorus are commonly sung. The song has been covered by artists like Rod Stewart, while another popular New Year’s song is “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald. “Auld Lang Syne” is one of the most widely recognized songs in the world, second only to “Happy Birthday,” and serves as a reminder to reflect on the past year with kindness as the new year begins. Alexander suggests focusing on the message of kindness, as highlighted in the chorus, when singing the song on New Year’s Eve.
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Deciphering The Meaning Behind The New Year’s Song
