New Year’s is the one holiday that has a single ethics song permanently associated with it: “Auld Lang Syne,” despite the fact that almost nobody knows what the words mean if they know all the words at all. One problem is the title and the phrase, which is best translated as “old time’s sake.” The other is that it shares a text-setting flaw with the National Anthem, beginning with a question. Nothing in the music makes the line “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” resonate as a question; if fact, I’m ashamed to admit, for a long time I thought “should” was used in the sense of “if.”

I was stunned to learn recently that singing the song on New Year’s Eve is not an ancient tradition. In fact, the practice as a tradition began in 1929, when bandleader Guy Lombardo needed something to play at the stroke of midnight and chose “Auld Lang Syne” because it had a sentimental vibe and the band knew it. Then Lombardo’s (somewhat whiney, annoying version) continued to be a staple on New Year’s Eve TV broadcast as long as Guy was still kicking.

The full poem, usually attributed to the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759–1796) but probably with other contributors, reads,

1. Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

2. And surely you’ll have your pint cup! and surely I’ll have mine!

And we’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

3. We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

4. We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

5. And there’s a hand my trusty friend! And give us a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For old times since, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

6. Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!

The song tells us to remember the good times and not to forget that in the end it is human relationships, good will and kindness that matter most. We should sing in the new year with confidence that whatever happens and whatever it brings, we can endure if only we can keep our priorities straight.

Happy New Year, everybody.