"Auld Lang Syne" is used in many countries, for different occasions. It is sung/played at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve in English and non-English speaking countries. It is sung/played at many farewell and memorial ceremonies.
It basically means " keep the good relationships and get rid of the bad ones". No one knows how old is the melody, or from where it originated, although many people have adopted and modified the lyrics; including lyric changes by Robert Burns.
It has the same metre as "America the Beautiful" (1831) in the United States, and can be sung interchangeably.
It has the same metre as "God save the Queen" (1745) in Great Britain and its commonwealth states, and can be sung interchangeably.
Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore was inspired by it when he composed "Purano Shei Diner Kotha".
It was popularized by Guy Lombardo "Mr. New Years Eve", who sang it annually from 1929 to 1976.
It is sung at the end of Boy Scouts jamborees, everywhere in the world.
The Scots sing/play it as part of their Hogmanay (New Years) celebrations, and at weddings.
In Japan, it is played as "Hotaru no Hikari", at the closing of school graduations, bars, restaurants, and department stores.
In South Korea, its melody is used as their national anthem.
In Thailand, it is sung as "Samakkhi Chumnum".
In Denmark, it was translated into the song "Skuld Gammel Venskab Rejn Forgo".
In England, it is sung at the end of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
In Great Britain, it is played at the close of the Trades Union Congress.
It is played when a British colony achieves independnece, and lowers the Union Jack for the last time.
In Virginia, United States, the University of Virginia alma mater has the same tune.
During World War I Christmas Truce, the opposing troops sang it as they exchanged souvenirs.
During American Civil War, it was banned in Union camps.
At Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, it was played after Confederate General Lee surrendered to Union General Grant, on April 4, 1865.
By: Iamai on 12/31/17 at 2:52 pm EST