Auld Lang Syne
Despite the fact that millions of people throughout the world see the old
year out and the new year in, 'Auld Lang Syne', has often been described as 'the
song that nobody knows'.
For one thing, the words are in old English, which is barely readable to
people today, and so people sing with gusto words they don't begin to
understand. I have played it and sung it every new year's eve that I can
remember, and really didn't have a clue what it was about until fairly recent
years.
They are attributed to Robert Burns who apparently picked up the tune and
some of the words from an old man singing in the dialect of southwest Scotland.
Auld Lang Syne has become the international song of departure, and is sung by
more people than any other.
Some historians say that in about 1788 Burns apparently discovered an old
poem that struck his fancy, and eventually put it down in this form:
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak' a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Translated to more-or-less modern day English it reads something like this:
The Days of Yore
Should we forget our former friends
By whom we set great store?
Should we forget the friends we've met
And the brave days of yore?
Chorus:
The days of yore. My dear
The days of yore,
We'll tilt the jug and drain the mug
to the brave days of yore.
And even those words would be barely intelligible to the current generation.
Like so many songs, it can be played with as few as 3 chords -- the
primary chords I, IV and V. But few pianists limit themselves to those 3 basic
chords, but add many others using the 3 principles of chord substitution.
Watch this short video on playing "Auld Lang Syne"
using chord substitutions:
If you want to learn more about
chord substitutions and how they work, please go to:
http://www.playpianocatalog.com/chord-substitutions-3-secrets-of-creating-fresh-harmonie.html
For a variety of other courses, please to to:
www.playpianocatalog.com
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