Auld Lang Syne | Mixed Media Project

Out with the old. In with the new. I grew up with this saying annually at year end. The meaning of the words "auld lang syne" is symbolic not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well.

"Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song. In the English-speaking world, it's traditionally sung to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight on (Hogmanay, or New Year's Eve). It's also often heard at funerals and graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions, such as several branches of the Scouting movement use it to close jamborees and other functions.

The text is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, but based on an older Scottish folk song. In 1799 it was set to a traditional pentatonic tune, which has since become standard, with listings as numbers 6294 and 13892 in the Roud Folk Song Index.

Translated into standard English, we know the meaning to be "old long since" or, less literally, "long long ago", "days gone by", "times long past", or "old times". The phrase, "For auld lang syne", as it appears in the first line of the chorus, might be loosely translated as "for the sake of old times".

The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638), Allan Ramsay (1686–1757), and James Watson (1711), as well as older folk songs predating Robert Burns.

I never tire of listening to the song, so located an instrumental version.

The standard English Version of the lyrics is below:

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

Chorus

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Chorus

We two have run about the hills,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

Chorus

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

Chorus

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The theme for my current mixed media project I thought of as I dwelt on the new year and all that had occurred in 2025. I don't know if my design reflected the true meaning of Auld Lang Syne, but it felt as such to me. Several important events happened to me personally this year that will affect my perspective going forward.

One was the loss of my precious niece who was about to celebrate her 45th birthday earlier in the year. A devastating blow as she was like one of my own daughters. Rarely does one have family young family members who take time out of their busy schedule to check on a senior citizen family member. For that, I will always be grateful. My heart still aches for her as she always visited during the holidays, especially Christmas.

In preparing my design, I didn't want to reflect on merely death, but the passing of old into the new. The main theme of the song, "should old acquaintance be forgot" always choke me as I never want to forget certain events or people who have deeply affected me.

Below are my steps in which I utilized Canva, my design program, to blend the different type images. I began with a blank, white canvas, then added layers of elements.

After completion of the still version, I used Photo Mosh Pro to add animation. The "MELT" filter variation provided the subtle movement.

The images I included are listed below. The first two images I retrieved from the stable diffusion program, StarryAI titled Inner Reset Button and Geometry No. 4.

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^{Female with orange flowers in hair ~ Night yellow moon ~ Black square abstract lines ~ Black lines ~ Red Tulip}