Auld Lang Syne
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne




We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sufjan Stevens's song Auld Lang Syne explore the idea of remembering old acquaintances and cherished memories. The first lines question whether or not it is right to forget the people and experiences of the past, and the repetition of the phrase "auld lang syne" emphasizes the importance of reminiscing and preserving these connections. The reference to taking a cup of kindness yet speaks to the idea of forgiveness and gratitude, and the lyrics suggest that even in the midst of change and distance, there is value in maintaining these connections.


The phrase "auld lang syne" itself has a rich history and meaning, originating from Scottish Gaelic and roughly translating to "old long since," or "long, long ago." The song has become a cultural staple for New Year's Eve celebrations, symbolizing both reflection on the past and hope for the future. Sufjan Stevens's version of the song has a haunting, dreamlike quality, with his signature use of layered harmonies and delicate instrumentation emphasizing the bittersweet emotions of the lyrics.


Overall, Auld Lang Syne is a poignant reminder of the power of nostalgia and the enduring importance of human connection. As the refrain repeats, there is a sense of communal bonding and shared experience, and the song serves as a fitting tribute to the passage of time and the enduring bonds of friendship and love.


Line by Line Meaning

Should old acquaintance be forgot
Are we meant to forget about past friendships?


And never brought to mind?
Should we ignore and never think about the old friends we've made in the past?


Should old acquaintance be forgot
Are we meant to forget about past friendships?


And days of auld lang syne?
Should we forget about the times we've shared together and let them fade away?


For auld lang syne, my dear
But for the sake of the good old times that we've shared, my love,


For auld lang syne
For the sake of the good old times that we've shared


We'll take a cup of kindness yet
Let us still have one last drink of kindness and goodwill


For auld lang syne
for the sake of the good old times that we've shared


For auld lang syne, my dear
but for the sake of the good old times that we've shared, my love,


For auld lang syne
For the sake of the good old times that we've shared


We'll take a cup of kindness yet
Let us still have one last drink of kindness and goodwill


For auld lang syne
For the sake of the good old times that we've shared




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional (pd), Robert Burns, Tim Rhys Evans

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@MCdomcar

listen to this every year since it came out rain or shine, thanks sufjan and crew and everybody around the world ๐Ÿ’—

@johnfurst8803

Happy New Year to all!

@cherylmontgomery2074

Amen ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™Œ xo

@MrArohrman

My all time favorite, homer choice or not. Thank you Sufjan!

@mayal-s5284

Happy New Year!

@cousinted

Happy New Year 2022 everyone!

@soupmanstevens160

happy new year suf

@brynjaremil

My favourite version.

@chromebookarchive2535

if the dead poets society was a song

@doctor_dinosaur

Happy New Year!

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