The Evolution of Auld Lang Syne: A Song Spanning Centuries

Auld Lang Syne, with its familiar melody and poignant lyrics, has become an integral part of New Year's celebrations worldwide. However, the song's history stretches far beyond its association with Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. In fact, the oldest known version of the song predates Burns by centuries, and its evolution is a testament to the power of music to transcend time and culture. Through his PhD project, The Songs and the Sounds of Auld Lang Syne, a researcher is shedding new light on the song's rich history, from its origins in 16th-century Scotland to its global popularity today.

Key Takeaways:

• The oldest known version of Auld Lang Syne is attributed to Sir Robert Aytoun (c.1570-1638), a Fifer who studied in St Andrews and Paris before entering the court of King James I and VI as groom of the Privy Chamber.
• Allan Ramsay (1684-1758) published Auld Lang Syne in The Tea-Table Miscellany between 1723 and 1737, and William Thomson included it in his Orpheus Caledonius of 1733.
• The 18th-century composer Domenico Corri published two songs by Burns, including Auld Lang Syne, in his vocal treatise The Singer's Preceptor.
• The song's global popularity spread with Scottish emigration, particularly to North America, where it was played by Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, in 1929.
• Auld Lang Syne is sung on various occasions, including weddings, funerals, and parties, and its melody is often used without knowledge of its origins.
• The song's evolution has been influenced by multiple composers and performers, including Leopold Kozeluch, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Domenico Corri.
• The full version of Aytoun's poem, Old Long-Syne, begins: "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never thought upon".

Statistics:

• Aytoun's poem, Old Long-Syne, is the oldest known version of Auld Lang Syne.
• The song was published in The Tea-Table Miscellany between 1723 and 1737.
• Domenico Corri's vocal treatise, The Singer's Preceptor, includes Auld Lang Syne alongside other popular repertoire of the time.
• Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, played Auld Lang Syne at each turn of the New Year in popular radio and television broadcasts in 1929, a tradition that continued for 30 years.

Sources:

• Glasgow University's Editing Robert Burns for the 21st Century webpage.
• The Singer's Preceptor by Domenico Corri.
• The Tea-Table Miscellany by Allan Ramsay.
• Orpheus Caledonius by William Thomson.
• The Scots Musical Museum by Robert Burns.
• Auld Lang Syne by Sir Robert Aytoun.