In 1788, Scotch poet, Robert Burns wrote the poem that we attempt to sing every New Year’s Eve, entitled Auld Lang Syne. The term is roughly translated, “old long since” or in more modern verbiage, “days gone by.” His poem was based on the longstanding Scottish oral tradition of using the term to drink to days gone by as the new year started. Burn’s poem, set to music, became a standard for Scottish New Year’s celebrations and ultimately the 1939 musical version by Guy Lombardi became the version we hear in Times Square when the ball drops every year. So, here’s to days gone by and to the new decade!
“For days gone by, my dear
For days gone by
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For days gone by.”