New Year celebrations are taking place across the country, with folk gathering in country pubs, inner city squares and at home with loved ones.
No doubt, once Big Ben has rung in the new year, you'll begin to belt out the UK's favourite musical staple – Auld Lang Syne – and encouraging the next generation to join in too.
But why do we sing this this old-fashioned song? Here's what you need to know.
Everything you need to know about Auld Lang Syne
What is the origin of Auld Lang Syne?
Auld Lang Syne began its life as a poem written by Scottish bard Robert Burns in 1788. (Although, similarities have been cited between Burns' poem and others published by Scottish poets in the 18th century.)
We are not completely sure who the composer is, but it's thought it's had a couple of melodies over its lifetime.
The song became part of the Scottish Hogmany celebrations, one of the biggest community events on the calendar, and often bigger than Christmas.
How did Auld Lang Syne become popular across the world?
The rise in popularity of the song is said to have been created by Scottish emigration in the 19th century, especially to Canada and the US.
In the American Civil War, the Union discouraged the singing of Auld Lang Syne because of the feelings it evoked about returning home, provoking nostalgia in soldiers, of whom a lot were British.
At the start of World War I (1861-65) soldiers sang it during the Christmas Truce, along with Good King Wenceslas.
Later, Canadian-born band leader Guy Lombardo also helped make Auld Lang Syne a New Year’s Eve tradition in North America. He organised his band to play it in a series of popular radio and television broadcasts that began on 31st December 1929.
Today, it's sung in as countries as far flung as India and China.
What's the meaning behind Auld Lang Syne?
Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song and the title can be translated into modern English as 'old long since'. We can interpret this to mean for old times' sake, or since long ago.
The lyrics are in Scots, the official name of a West Germanic language spoken in modern Scotland. It is different from Scottish Gaelic.
The song reflects on good friendships in past times and seeks to rekindle the happiness with a handshake and a drink.
What are the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne?
There's much more to Auld Lang Syne that the first verse and chorus that we usually sing. Will you be one of the few who can sing it all the way through?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin days of auld lang syne
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn
Frae morning sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin days of auld lang syne
Chorus
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere
And gie's a hand o' thine
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught
For auld lang syne
Chorus x 2
Why do we link arms in Auld Lang Syne?
Robert Burns was a freemason all his life. In freemasonry, singing with arms crossed and hands joined was a parting ritual.
A 19th-century newspaper report describes Auld Lang Syne being sung as members formed 'the circle of unity' or the 'chain of union', which was a common Masonic ritual.
The tradition of singing the song at times of parting, and with crossed hands, emerged in the mid-19th century. It was not just among Freemasons, but in other fraternal societies.
People often raise glasses while singing Auld Lang Syne. The lyrics refer to taking a 'cup o' kindness yet for the sake of auld lang syne', which translates as drinking to old times, and taking a 'right gude-willy waught', a goodwill drink.
Discover more British traditions
- Britain's best traditional New Year's Eve celebrations
- Burns Night: traditions, recipes and great Scottish walks
- The Morris renaissance: how the young and stylish are breathing new life into an ancient folk dance
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