Mitchell William "Mitch" Miller (July 4, 1911 – July 31, 2010) was an Ameri… Read Full Bio ↴Mitchell William "Mitch" Miller (July 4, 1911 – July 31, 2010) was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive. Miller was one of the most influential figures in American popular music during the 1950s and early 1960s, both as the head of Artists and Repertoire at Columbia Records and as a best-selling recording artist with an NBC television series, Sing Along with Mitch.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in the early 1930s, Miller began his musical career as an accomplished player of the oboe and English horn, and recorded several highly regarded classical albums featuring his instrumental work, but he is best remembered as a conductor, choral director, television performer and recording executive.

Auld Lang Syne
Mitch Miller and the Gang Lyrics

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Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take the cup o? kindness yet

For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne

We'll take the cup o? kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mitch Miller and the Gang's version of Auld Lang Syne is a melancholic reflection on the passing of time and lost moments. The opening lines pose a question about whether old acquaintances should be forgotten, and if so, why. The repetition of these questions in the following lines reflects a sense of regret and sadness that perhaps these relationships and memories have been neglected or lost. However, the chorus provides hope that despite this, we can still remember these moments and share a cup of kindness with our loved ones for the sake of old times.

The song itself has become synonymous with New Year's Eve celebrations all over the world, with people joining hands and singing the tune as the clock strikes midnight. Although the origins of the song are unknown, it was made famous by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in the 18th century, who wrote the lyrics down from an older folk melody. It became a popular song for Scottish New Year's Eve celebrations, known as Hogmanay, and eventually spread throughout the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget old friends

And never brought to mind?
And act as though they never existed?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget old friends

And days of auld lang syne?
And forget the good times we had with them?

For auld lang syne, my dear
But for the sake of old times, my dear

For auld lang syne
For the sake of old times

We'll take the cup o' kindness yet
We'll still share a drink and be kind to each other

For auld lang syne
For the sake of old times

For auld lang syne, my dear
But for the sake of old times, my dear

For auld lang syne
For the sake of old times

We'll take the cup o' kindness yet
We'll still share a drink and be kind to each other