To kick off this new series I’d like to introduce you to a song you’ve heard a million times but may know little about its history or meaning. Have you heard two absolutely beautiful versions of it? I invite you to spend a few minutes taking in the spirit of a truly great song.
This song defines the New Year like none other. It’s the old Scottish ditty, “Auld Lang Syne.” The poetry is attributed to the most famous of Scottish song makers, Robert Burns from 1788 but it is said it goes back further and that Burns collected and adapted an older song.
I love the traditional version of the song and who better to sing and talk about it than Jean Redpath. Her singing of old Scottish songs is legendary. Born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Jean came to the States and was part of the original folk revival in the early 60s. She toured and lectured as a folklorist both in the states and in the UK. She was awarded an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and also received several honorary doctorates. She died in 2014 and a street in her hometown of Leven in Fife was named in her honor, Jean Redpath Wynd.
I got a chance to interview Jean about the history and meaning of the song in 1995. Please listen to this four-minute excerpt from an hour-long New Year’s Special we produced for public radio stations, nationwide.1
Here is Jean Redpath singing “Auld Lange Syne”
If you like to listen to a wonderful swing version of the song check out Svend Asmussen’s rendition.
Check out “New Years: A Reflection.” A hourlong radio special produced by Mary Beth Kirchner, Taki Telonidis and Hal Cannon for the Western Folklife Center, ©1996
Thanks for the invitation, Hal.
Yes! Something positive to look forward to! Many thanks.