Auld Lang Syne
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"Auld Lang Syne" is a song by Robert Burns (1759-1796), although a similar poem by Robert Ayton (1570-1638), as well as older folk songs, use the same phrase, and may well have inspired Burns.
In any case, it is one of the better-known songs in English-speaking countries, and it is often sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. Like many other frequently sung songs, the melody is better remembered than the words, which are often sung incorrectly, and seldom in full.
The song is commonly accompanied by a traditional dance. The group who is singing forms a ring, holding hands for the first verse. For the second verse, arms are crossed and again linked. For the third verse, everyone moves in to the centre of the ring and then out again.
The song's (Scots) title may be translated into English literally as 'old long since', or more idiomatically 'long ago', or 'days gone by'. In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase “In the days of auld lang syne” as the equivalent of “Once upon a time”. In Scots Syne is pronounced like the English word sign — IPA: [sain]—not [zain] as many people pronounce it.